Whole-body human-computer interface

ABSTRACT

A human-computer interface system having an exoskeleton including a plurality of structural members coupled to one another by at least one articulation configured to apply a force to a body segment of a user, the exoskeleton comprising a body-borne portion and a point-of-use portion; the body-borne portion configured to be operatively coupled to the point-of-use portion; and at least one locomotor module including at least one actuator configured to actuate the at least one articulation, the at least one actuator being in operative communication with the exoskeleton.

This application is a continuation of International Application No.PCT/US14/44735, filed Jun. 27, 2014, which claims the benefit ofProvisional Application No. 61/843,317 filed Jul. 5, 2013.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to virtual reality human-machineinterfaces, and more specifically to immersive virtual realityhuman-machine interfaces. Even more specifically, the present inventionrelates to immersive virtual reality human-machine interfaces withauditory, visual, proprioceptive, mechanoreceptive, thermoreceptive, andequilibrioceptive modalities.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Virtual reality systems are computer-based systems that provideexperiences to a participant acting in a simulated environment thatforms a three dimensional virtual world. These systems are used inseveral different applications such as commercial flight simulators,entertainment systems, computer games and video arcade games to name afew.

In virtual reality systems, the participant typically wears ahead-mounted device that enables viewing of a virtual reality worldgenerated by the computer. The system also includes an interactionmeans, such as a pointing device or specially configured glovecontaining sensors, for interacting with objects in the virtual world.In somewhat sophisticated systems, a data generating body suit,containing sensors and vibrating actuators, may be provided so that theuser can influence and receive feedback from objects in the virtualworld.

In recent years, owing to a substantial increase in the performance ofdigital computing hardware and concomitant software improvements, it hasbecome possible to simulate sophisticated three-dimensional computerizedenvironments. Such “immersive digital environments” have becomeubiquitous in modern life, broadly deployed in such diverse fields asentertainment, commerce, training, simulation, visualization, and remotepresence. However, despite the rapid evolution of software capabilities,the commercial landscape of human-computer interfaces has changed littlesince the dawn of the personal computing era. A handful of traditionalhuman-computer interface devices—such as the mouse and keyboard, touchscreen, gamepad, and planar visual display—still predominate.

No known human-computer interface device has yet come close to achievingthe long-held goal of enabling fully immersive (i.e. natural, full-body,and pan-sensory) interaction with a computerized environment. A fullexplication of the shortcomings of the existing state-of-the art isbeyond the scope of this document, but a thorough search of the priorart will ascertain in known devices at least one of the following keyperformance deficiencies, among others:

Lack of generality: human-computer interfaces of the known art aretypically built and programmed for a single narrow range ofapplications. These systems employ simplified simulation parameters toachieve a design that is conducive to their particular application, butare severely limited in general applicability. Such a design methodologytends to reduce mechanical and computational complexity for many tasks,but at the cost of compromising flexibility, adaptability, and economyof scale of the resultant systems.

Limited or no integration: human-computer interfaces of the known artgenerally incorporate only one or a small subset of human sensorymodalities. At a minimum, auditory, visual, proprioceptive,mechanoreceptive, thermoreceptive, and equilibrioceptive modalities arerequired for an acceptable level of immersion, with the addition of thechemosensory (olfactory and gustatory) modality being preferred forincreased immersion.

Only involve a small portion of the body: voluntary movement, theprimary means by which humans affect their environment, occurs atvirtually every part of the body. Furthermore, the entirety of the skinsurface and musculature are embedded with somatosensory organs, whichsupply critical sensory information. Human-computer interfaces of theknown art generally involve only a small portion of the body. Such adesign is antithetical to natural simulation of environmentalinteractions.

Limited dynamic range and resolution: many human sensory organs arecapable of perceiving a large dynamic range of stimulus amplitude andsome also have very high spatial and/or temporal resolution.Human-computer interfaces of the known art struggle to match theseperformance requirements.

Bulky, heavy, intrusive: human-computer interfaces of the known art arelargely too bulky and heavy to be practical, especially those thatinvolve larger portions of the body or integrate multiple sensorymodalities. Such interfaces may provide high quality sensorystimulation, but often introduce undesirable noise due to theirintrinsic dynamics.

Even the best performing devices of the known art (and in factparticularly the best performing devices) are simply impractical, aswell as being substantially uneconomical. Even if these devices didovercome all of the shortcomings listed above, they would still likelybe incapable of broad application due to their prohibitive cost andcomplexity. Thus, there remains a significant need for an improvedhuman-computer interface device enabling natural, full-body interactionwith a computer-mediated environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention can becharactized as a human-computer interface system comprising anexoskeleton including a plurality of structural members coupled to oneanother by at least one articulation configured to apply a force to abody segment of a user, the exoskeleton comprising a body-borne portionand a point-of-use portion; the body-borne portion configured to beoperatively coupled to the point-of-use portion; and at least onelocomotor module including at least one actuator configured to actuatethe at least one articulation, the at least one actuator being inoperative communication with the exoskeleton.

In accordance with another embodiment, the present invention can becharacterized as a method for using the human-computer interface systemcomprising fitting the user with the body-borne portion of theexoskeleton; permitting an authenticated user to enter a point-of-useenclosure; coupling the point-of-use portion of the exoskeleton fittedon the user to the point-of-use enclosure via at least one temporarycoupling point; beginning simulation in response to receiving a signalfrom the user to begin simulation; ending simulation in response toreceiving a signal from the user to end simulation; and decoupling thepoint-of-use portion of the exoskeleton from the point-of-use enclosure.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the present invention can becharacterized as a human-computer interface system comprising ahuman-computer interface terminal coupled to a computer system, thehuman-computer interface terminal including a plurality of inputtransducers configured to receive input from a user and to transduce theinput to a computer-interpretable user input state; the computer systemconfigured to receive at least one input from the human-computerinterface terminal, the computer system including a processor configuredto receive a user input state and to map at least one element of theuser input state to at least one corresponding element of a user avatarinput state; the human-computer interface terminal including a pluralityof output transducers configured to transduce a computer-interpretableuser output state to stimulate at least one sensory system of the user;and a simulation engine configured to receive and process the useravatar input state and to output a user avatar output state and to mapat least one element of the user avatar output state to correspondingelements of a user output state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of severalembodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from thefollowing more particular description thereof, presented in conjunctionwith the following drawings.

FIG. 1 (FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C) is a block diagram of a whole-bodyhuman-computer interface in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an exoskeleton in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a locomotor module in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 4A is a side view of a right arm segment of an exoskeleton of theembodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4B is a bottom view of a right arm segment of an exoskeleton of theembodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5A is a front view of a right leg segment of an exoskeleton of theembodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5B is a side view of a right leg segment of an exoskeleton of theembodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6A is a front perspective view of a torso segment of an exoskeletonof the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6B is a rear perspective view of a torso segment of an exoskeletonof the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating the coupling of a body-borne portionof an exoskeleton to a point-of-use portion of an exoskeleton to form anoperative exoskeleton in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of a torso segment of an exoskeletonin accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a hand segment of an exoskeleton inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 10A is a side perspective view of a male connector and a femaleconnector of a mechanical coupling of a temporary coupling point of anexoskeleton in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 10B is an exploded perspective view of the mechanical coupling ofthe embodiment of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a pin-type revolutearticulation of an exoskeleton actuated by a tensile member assembly ofa locomotor module in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a rotary-type revolute articulation ofan exoskeleton actuated by a tensile member assembly of a locomotormodule in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 12B is an exploded perspective view of the rotary-type revolutearticulation of the embodiment of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13A is a top view of a male connector and a female connector of atensile member power transmission coupling of a temporary coupling pointof an exoskeleton in accordance with one embodiment. The housings of themale and female connectors are rendered as semi-transparent toillustrate key systems within.

FIG. 13B is a top view of the tensile member power transmission couplingof the embodiment of FIG. 13A in a coupled state.

FIG. 13C is an exploded perspective view of the tensile member powertransmission coupling of the embodiment of FIG. 13A.

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a motion simulator coupled to anexoskeleton in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of a head portion of an interfacegarment in accordance with one embodiment. The outer surface of the headportion is rendered as semi-transparent to illustrate key systemswithin.

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of an interface laminate inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of an interface laminate inaccordance with a second embodiment.

FIG. 18A is a bottom view of a tactile actuator laminate in accordancewith one embodiment. The inner surface of the tactile actuator laminateis rendered as semi-transparent for clarity.

FIG. 18B is a sectional view of the tactile actuator laminate of theembodiment of FIG. 18A.

FIG. 18C is an exploded view of the cross-section of FIG. 18B.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view through the same plane as the sectional viewof FIG. 18B of an alternate embodiment of a tactile actuator laminate.

FIG. 20A is a bottom view of a thermal actuator laminate in accordancewith one embodiment. The inner surface of the thermal actuator laminateis rendered as semi-transparent for clarity.

FIG. 20B is a sectional view of the thermal actuator laminate of theembodiment of FIG. 20A.

FIG. 20C is an exploded view of the cross-section of FIG. 20B.

FIG. 21A is a bottom view of a fluidic distribution laminate inaccordance with one embodiment. The inner surface of the fluidicdistribution laminate is rendered as semi-transparent for clarity.

FIG. 21B is a sectional view of the fluidic distribution laminate of theembodiment of FIG. 21A.

FIG. 21C is an exploded view of the cross-section of FIG. 21B.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view through the same plane as the sectional viewof FIG. 21B of an alternate embodiment of a fluidic distributionlaminate.

FIG. 23A is a top view of a fluidic distribution laminate in accordancewith one embodiment.

FIG. 23B is a sectional view of a ribbon assembly and fluidic connectorof the fluidic distribution laminate of the embodiment of FIG. 23A.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of sensors and actuators of an interfacelaminate in accordance with one embodiment.

FIGS. 25 (25A and 25B) is a block diagram of sensors and actuators of aninterface laminate in accordance with a second embodiment.

FIG. 26A is a side view of a selector valve in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 26B is an exploded perspective view of the selector valve of theembodiment of FIG. 26A

FIG. 26C is a top view of a control plate assembly of the selector valveof the embodiment of FIG. 26A.

FIG. 26D is a bottom view of a base plate assembly of the selector valveof the embodiment of FIG. 26A.

FIG. 27A is a front perspective view of an interface garment inaccordance with one embodiment. A cutaway shows a front perspective viewof a body-borne portion of an exoskeleton and an intermediate layer inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 27B is a sectional view of the indicated portion of the interfacegarment of the embodiment of FIG. 27A through a plane orthogonal to thesurface of the interface garment.

FIG. 28 is a sectional view through a simplified structural member of aninterface garment illustrating the effect of a force applied to aportion of the inner surface of an intermediate layer bonded to saidstructural member in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 29A is a perspective view of a structural member of an interfacegarment having a donning aid in accordance with one embodiment, wheresaid donning aid is in an open state.

FIG. 29B is a perspective view of the structural member of theembodiment of FIG. 29A, where the donning aid of the embodiment of FIG.29A is in a closed state.

FIG. 30 is a front perspective view of two point-of-use enclosures inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a flow diagram of events that constitute a user experiencewith a human-computer interface terminal of a whole-body human-computerinterface in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, asdescribed here and above in FIGS. 1 through 30.

FIG. 32 is a flow diagram of events that constitute a first embodimentof a coupling process and decoupling process in accordance with the userexperience of the embodiment of FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is a flow diagram of events that constitute a second embodimentof a coupling process and decoupling process in accordance with the userexperience of the embodiment of FIG. 31.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding componentsthroughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans willappreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicityand clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example,the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help to improve understanding of variousembodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understoodelements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasibleembodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a lessobstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but ismade merely for the purpose of describing the general principles ofexemplary embodiments. The scope of the invention should be determinedwith reference to the claims.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details areprovided, such as examples of programming, software modules, userselections, network transactions, database queries, database structures,hardware modules, hardware circuits, hardware chips, etc., to provide athorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled inthe relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can bepracticed without one or more of the specific details, or with othermethods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances,well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or notdescribed in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

Overview

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a whole-body human-computer interface inaccordance with one embodiment. Shown is a human-computer interfaceterminal 102 coupled to a computer system 104. The computer system 104,optionally, receives input states 120 from additional human-computerinterface terminals associated with additional users.

The human-computer interface terminal 102 services at least one user,providing a user 106 that is sensed by a plurality of input transducers108. The input transducers 108 receive input from the user 106, andtransduce that input to a user input state 112 preferably defined at adiscrete time step n. The human-computer interface terminal 102 receivesa user output state 114 from the computer system 104, preferably definedat a discrete time step n+1. The user output state 114 is transduced bythe output transducers 110 to an appropriate form so as to stimulate oneor more of the user's 106 sensory systems.

Within the computer system 104, a computer-mediated environment process116 receives the user input state 112, and maps one or more elements ofthat user input state to corresponding elements of a user avatar inputstate 150 via a mapping function 148. The user avatar input state 150 isreceived by game/simulation engine process 152 and used to calculate theinteraction of the user avatar with a computer-mediated environment.Elements of the game/simulation engine process include, for example,simulations of physical processes such as electromagnetism, acoustics,and dynamics that will be familiar to those skilled in the relevant art.The game/simulation engine process 152 outputs a user avatar outputstate 154, and maps one or more elements of that user avatar outputstate 154 to corresponding elements of a user output state 114 via amapping function 156.

Additional input states 120 include, in accordance with one embodiment,the input states of other human-computer interface terminals, or ofother apparatus. Such apparatus optionally affect or are affected by thephysical world, as in “mixed-reality” or “augmented-reality”applications; for example: a user controls a machine by means of a useravatar representing that machine. In this example, the machine containsone or more sensors which affect the state of computer-mediatedenvironment process 116, and the machine contains one or more actuatorswhich are affected by the user avatar output state 154. The user avataris of any morphology, not necessarily resembling the user, for example:being an arbitrary humanoid, animal, machine, or abstract form.Different avatars may be useful or preferred for different applications.

Definitions and Conventions

Reference throughout this specification to “a user,” “the user,” orsimilar language means a user 106 of a human-computer interface terminal102. “A wearer” or “the wearer” is a user who is wearing a portion of ahuman-computer interface terminal 102 on his or her body. Alldescriptions are with respect to a user in the standard anatomicalposition, unless otherwise specified.

Reference throughout this specification to an “inner” surface means asurface nearer to a user's skin. Conversely, an “outer” surface means asurface farther away from a user's skin.

All units of measure are defined in accordance with the InternationalSystem of Units (SI).

As used herein, the term “two-point discrimination threshold” means: theminimum distance between two points of pressure stimuli applied to theskin surface of a user at which the user can reliably distinguishbetween said two points and a single point applying the same amount oftotal pressure. The two-point discrimination threshold should beunderstood to vary across the surface of the user's body based on thetactile sensitivity of a given portion of the user's skin.

As used herein, the term “pressure-pain threshold” means: the minimumpressure applied to the skin surface of a user sufficient to inducepain. Like the two-point discrimination threshold, the pressure-painthreshold should be understood to vary across the surface of the user'sbody.

As used herein, the term “workspace” means: the set of reachableconfigurations of a mechanical or biological kinematic chain.

As used herein, the term “Z-width” means: the range of mechanicalimpedances capable of being stably rendered by a haptic device.

As used herein, the term “mechanical ground” means: a point that issubstantially fixed and immovable with respect to the user.

As used herein, the term “rigid structural material” means: steel,aluminum, titanium, amorphous metals, various other metals and metalalloys; thermoplastics and other polymers, oxide and non-oxide technicalceramics, other non-metals (such as glasses); composite constructions ofthe aforementioned metals and non-metals or other suitable materials,including carbon fiber reinforced polymer, fiberglass, and otherreinforced polymers, sandwich type composites, and matrix-typecomposites; micro- and nano-structured constructions of theaforementioned metals and non-metals or other suitable materials,including cellular solids having a lattice, foam, honeycomb, ortruss-based structure; or combinations of two or more of the above.

As used herein, the term “friction-reducing material” means: a solid,liquid, or other material having a low coefficient of friction incontact with a target material. Examples include:polytetrafluoroethylene or other fluoropolymers, or polyoxymethylene orother polymers; brass, bronze, steel, or other metals; compositeconstructions of the aforementioned metals and polymers or of othermetals, polymers, ceramics, glasses, or other materials; liquidlubricants such as oil or grease; or combinations of two or more of theabove.

As used herein, the term “variable stiffness material” means: a materialwhose stiffness can be controllably varied—as by electrorheological,magnetorheological, fluidic, thermal, mechanical, electromagnetic, orother means, or by combinations of two or more of the above.

As used herein, the term “contractile material” means: a metal, ceramic,polymer or other material that changes shape or size when exposed tovarying temperatures, electric currents, or other stimuli, including:copper-based shape-memory alloys, nickel-titanium-based shape-memoryalloys, or other types of shape-memory alloys; dielectric electroactivepolymers, ionic electroactive polymers and polymer-metal composites,ferroelectric polymers, electrostrictive graft polymers, liquid crystalpolymers, or another of the class of electroactive polymers;piezoelectric ceramics, piezoelectric polymers, or other piezoelectricmaterials; carbon nanotubes, graphene, or other carbon-based compounds;nylon fibers, polyethylene fibers or other polymer fibers;polydimethylsiloxane or other elastomers; or vanadium oxide; orcombinations of two or more of the above.

As used herein, the term “flexible substrate material” means: a flexibleand substantially gas and liquid impermeable material, preferablysuitable for use with a soft lithography process. Examples include:polydimethylsiloxane or other elastomers; metal-filled elastomers orother metal-elastomer composites; ceramic-elastomer composites;carbon-filled elastomers or other carbon-elastomer composites;watertight fabrics, including metalized fabrics; or combinations of twoor more of the above.

Exoskeleton

Referring to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention,a human-computer interface terminal 102 comprises an exoskeleton. Saidexoskeleton comprises one or more actuated articulations 141 configuredto apply a net force or torque 127 to a body segment of user 106. Invarious embodiments, an exoskeleton also comprises force or torquesensors 133, position or angle sensors 136, or biosignal sensors 135.FIG. 2 generally depicts one embodiment of an exoskeleton. A pluralityof structural members are each coupled to at least one other structuralmember by one or more articulations. A plurality of locomotor modules(300 of FIG. 3) are configured to actuate one or more articulations ofthe exoskeleton. Referring now to FIG. 7, in a preferred embodiment, anexoskeleton comprises a body-borne portion 703 operatively coupled topoint-of-use portion 701 by means of one or more temporary couplingpoints 702 a-710 b.

Structural Members and Articulations

A structural member is a load-bearing element configured to provide asubstantially rigid load path. In one embodiment, structural members ofan exoskeleton are composed in part or whole of a rigid structuralmaterial. In another embodiment, one or more structural members arecomposed in part or whole of a variable stiffness material.

Structural members are generally shaped to minimize interference with awearer's workspace while maintaining sufficient stiffness to provide asubstantially rigid load path. In one embodiment, a structural member isshaped to enclose one or more portions of a wearer's body. Said member'sinner surface is preferably substantially parallel to the wearer's skinsurface throughout. Portions of the member are omitted aroundarticulations of an exoskeleton where necessary to prevent interferencewith motion of the exoskeleton or wearer. Structural members of thistype are preferred to be employed in the extremities of an exoskeleton,as shown in FIGS. 4A-B and FIGS. 5A-B in accordance with one embodiment.

Structural members are preferred to be as thin as possible whilemaintaining sufficient stiffness to provide a substantially rigid loadpath, particularly those located in extremities of an exoskeleton. In apreferred embodiment, the thickness of structural members 401 a/b, 405a/b (FIGS. 4A-B) and 501 a/b, 505 a/b (FIGS. 5A-B) is between 0.20 and5.0 mm. In a more preferred embodiment the thickness of structuralmembers 401 a/b, 405 a/b (FIGS. 4A-B) and 501 a/b, 505 a/b (FIGS. 5A-B)is between 0.50 and 2.5 mm. In an even more preferred embodiment, thethickness of structural members 401 a/b, 405 a/b (FIGS. 4A-B) and 501a/b, 505 a/b (FIGS. 5A-B) is between 1.0 and 2.0 mm.

Articulations of an exoskeleton enable it to move with its wearer. In apreferred embodiment, the articulations of an exoskeleton are configuredand positioned so as to permit an aggregate range of motionapproximately equal to that of a wearer's body. Many articulations arepreferably positioned such that a center of rotation of the articulationis aligned with an average (best-fit) center of rotation of acorresponding biological joint.

Articulations are preferred to comprise revolute pairs where possible,due to their simplicity and robustness. Revolute articulations can be ofa “pin type” having a center of rotation outside of the body of thewearer, or of a “rotary type” having a center of rotation inside of thebody of the wearer. A person skilled in the art will recognize thatother basic kinematic pairs (such as prismatic, cylindrical, screw,planar, and spherical pairs) can be substituted individually or incombination for some or all revolute articulations of an exoskeleton toproduce motion similar to that of the joints of the embodimentsdescribed herein without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 11, an exploded view of a pin-type articulation of astructural exoskeleton actuated by a tensile member assembly of alocomotor module is shown in accordance with one embodiment. A proximalstructural member 1102 is coupled to a distal structural member 1104 bymeans of a pin 1110 so as to permit a single degree of rotationalfreedom about axis 1101. The distal structural member 1104 comprises apulley 1106. A tensile member 1116 is coupled to the pulley 1106 via aninside termination (not shown), and to a first housing 1118 and secondhousing 1120. Housings 1118 and 1120 are coupled to distal structuralmember 1104 by means of housing terminations 1112 and 1114 respectively.Tensile load applied to either end of tensile member 1116 will produce arotational displacement of distal structural member 1104 relative toproximal structural member 1102 in opposite directions. Bushing orbearing element 1108 prevents undue friction between proximal structuralmember 1102 and distal structural member 1104.

Referring to FIG. 12A, a rotary-type articulation of a structuralexoskeleton actuated by a tensile member assembly of a locomotor moduleis shown in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 12B shows an explodedview of the embodiment of FIG. 12A. A distal structural member 1204 iscoupled to a proximal structural member 1206 via a ball bearing and cageassembly 1208. A retaining member 1202 is coupled first to distalstructural member 1204—via a ball bearing and cage assembly 1210—andsecond to proximal structural member 1206. The combined assembly ofelements 1202-1210 permits a single degree of rotational freedom aboutaxis 1201. A tensile member 1212 is coupled to distal structural member1204 via an inside termination (not shown), and to a first housing 1214and second housing 1218. Housings 1214 and 1218 are coupled to retainingmember 1202 by means of housing terminations 1220 and 1222 respectively.Tensile load applied to either end of tensile member 1212 will produce arotational displacement in opposite directions of distal structuralmember 1204 relative to proximal structural member 1206 and retainingmember 1202.

A tensile member of a tensile member power transmission assemblycomprises a monofilament or multi-strand construction in variousembodiments. A tensile member preferably comprises a flexible materialhaving a high tensile strength, and capable of being formed intostrands. Such contemplated materials include: steel, or other metals;polyethylene (including ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene),aromatic polyamide, or other polymers; glass fiber; carbon fiber orother carbon-based materials; or a combination of two or more of theabove. A housing of a tensile member power transmission assemblypreferably comprises a rigid structural material configured to beflexible in bending, but substantially stiff under compressive load. Inone variation, said rigid structural material is arranged in acontinuous structure, such as a single-, or multiple-helix wrappedaround a tensile member. In another variation, said rigid structuralmaterial is arranged in a discontinuous structure, such as a pluralityof close-packed tubes enclosing a tensile member.

A housing of a tensile member power transmission assembly preferablycomprises an element, such as a coating or liner preferably comprising afriction-reducing material, configured to reduce friction between thehousing and its tensile member. Tensile member diameter is preferablyselected for a given tensile member such that the material elastic limitof the tensile member is greater than or equal to: the stress producedon said tensile member by the maximum allowed torque of the articulationto which it is coupled, multiplied by a safety factor of not less than3.

In one embodiment, an articulation is of a continuum type e.g.comprising a “snake arm” or “elephant trunk” structure having aplurality of members coupled to a plurality of actuated degrees offreedom to form a hyper-redundant manipulator. In a second embodiment,one or more articulations are composed in part or whole of a variablestiffness material. In a third embodiment, an articulation comprises amulti-layer sliding spring mechanism configured to produce a bendingtorque in response to a linear input force.

Joints of an exoskeleton comprise one or more articulations. Embodimentsof each joint are contemplated in which said joint comprises each of thefollowing variations: a kinematic chain having fewer degrees of freedomthan the biological joint or joints whose motion it is configured toemulate; a kinematic chain having an equal number of degrees of freedomto the biological joint or joint whose motion it is configured toemulate; a kinematic chain having a greater number of degrees of freedomthan the biological joint or joints whose motion it is configured toemulate (i.e. a redundant kinematic chain); or a kinematic chain havinga significantly greater number of degrees of freedom than the biologicaljoint or joints whose motion it is configured to emulate (i.e. ahyper-redundant kinematic chain). Despite its increased complexity, aredundant or hyper-redundant kinematic chain can provide an advantage insome embodiments by, for example: reducing potential kinematicsingularities; increasing range or fidelity of motion; or permittingmultiple configurations of a joint for a single end effector position.By way of example, a limited number of the aforementioned variations aredescribed below for each joint; however, all suitable variations arecontemplated for each joint, including kinematic chains having anywherefrom zero to an infinite number of degrees of freedom in variousconfigurations.

One or more joints described herein may be omitted from an exoskeletonwithout departing from the scope of the present invention; however,omission of joints is anticipated to have a significant negative impacton the controllability and performance of an exoskeleton having one ormore omitted joints. Additionally, omission of joints severelyconstrains the forces or torques that can safely be applied to the bodyof the wearer, as all forces or torques applied by the exoskeleton mustbe transmitted through the wearer's musculoskeletal system where jointsare omitted.

Referring now to FIG. 2, in a preferred embodiment, the combinedstructure of an arm segment 400 a/b and any apparatus by which it iscoupled to mechanical ground is sufficiently stiff to maintain adeflection of less than 30 mm under the following conditions: a load of100 N is applied at the extreme distal point of arm segment 400 a/b(e.g. the hand) along an axis perpendicular to the proximal-distal axisof the segment; deflection is measured as the displacement of theextreme distal point along said axis; all articulations of the structureare locked. In a more preferred embodiment, said deflection is less than10 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the combined structure of a legsegment 500 a/b and any apparatus by which it is coupled to mechanicalground is sufficiently stiff to maintain a deflection of less than 15 mmunder the same test conditions described hereinabove. In a morepreferred embodiment, said deflection is preferably less than 5.0 mm.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a front and rear perspective view of a torsosegment 600 of an exoskeleton in accordance with one embodiment. Torsosegment 600 comprises: pelvic structural member 604 and thoracicstructural member 605, optionally coupled via a thoracic spinal joint660; shoulder joints 670 a, 670 b or a portion thereof; and hip joints650 a, 650 b or a portion thereof. Torso segment 600 of an exoskeletonis preferably coupled to mechanical ground by means of an elongatedstructural member 602. Alternately, any other suitable portion of anexoskeleton can be coupled to mechanical ground.

Elongated structural member 602 is optionally coupled to mechanicalground via a motion simulator (see “Motion Simulator” section) or otherapparatus. Length of elongated structural member 602 is preferablyselected to position any structures to which it is coupled (e.g. amotion simulator, actuator array, or other apparatus) outside orsubstantially outside the wearer's workspace.

In one embodiment, a pelvic structural member 604 or a thoracicstructural member 605 are secured to the body of the wearer by anelement (not shown) that encircles the wearer's pelvis or thoraxrespectively. In one variation of this embodiment, the encirclingelement comprises one or more flexible portions, such as a fabric strap,a harness, a vest, or a belt. In another variation, the encirclingelement comprises one or more portions consisting of a stiff structuralmaterial, such as a stiff band or plate.

Pelvic structural member 604 and thoracic structural member 605 areoptionally coupled via thoracic spinal joint 660. Thoracic spinal joint660 is preferred to comprise a serial manipulator having at least 5degrees of freedom. In an even more preferred embodiment, thoracicspinal joint 660 comprises a serial manipulator having 5, 6, or 7revolute articulations arranged in the manner of a robotic arm. FIGS. 6Aand 6B show an exemplary embodiment of a serial manipulator of thistype. Articulation 619 is coupled to articulation 620. Articulation 620is coupled, via structural member 608, to articulation 622. Articulation622 is in turn coupled to 3 degrees of freedom wrist assembly 624-628via structural member 610. Lengths of structural members 608 and 610 arepreferably selected to enable full spinal flexion (i.e. where the weareris touching his or her toes) at or near maximum extension of thoracicspinal joint 660. Other variations of the aforementioned embodiment ofthoracic spinal joint 660 producing a similar aggregate range of motionare contemplated, including: variations wherein revolute articulations619-628 are arranged in a different order; variations wherein some orall revolute articulations 619-628 are replaced with articulationscomprising other basic kinematic pairs (such as prismatic, screw, orspherical pairs); variations wherein one or more portions of thoracicspinal joint 660 are arranged in a parallel, rather than serial,kinematic configuration; and variations wherein one or more portions ofa thoracic spinal joint 660 comprise a continuum-type manipulator.Additionally, the head of the wearer can optionally be coupled to one ormore portions of an exoskeleton by a cervical spinal joint (not shown inFIGS. 6A-B), preferably of a substantially similar design to thoracicspinal joint 660 as described hereinabove.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a right and left shoulder joint 670 a and 670 b inaccordance with one embodiment. Note that right shoulder joint 670 a,which will be described herein, is substantially equivalent to leftshoulder joint 670 b mirrored across the median plane of the body. Inone embodiment, shoulder joint 670 a comprises a sternoclavicular joint672 a and a glenohumeral joint 674 a. Sternoclavicular joint 672 acomprises: a first articulation 630 a configured to emulate motion ofthe wearer's scapula during scapular elevation and depression, and asecond articulation 632 a configured to emulate motion of the wearer'sscapula during scapular protraction and retraction. Articulations 630 aand 632 a preferably each comprise a pin-type revolute articulation.Said pin-type revolute articulations preferably have an axis of rotationsubstantially aligned with the average axis of rotation of thesternoclavicular joint of the wearer in scapular elevation/depressionand scapular protraction/retraction respectively.

The average axis of rotation of the wearer's scapula during scapularprotraction/retraction is not readily accessible from many of thepreferred locations of sternoclavicular joint 672 a. Therefore, avariety of means are contemplated to align articulation 632 a with thisaverage axis of rotation. A first contemplated means of alignmentcomprises adding a third articulation 634 a to sternoclavicular joint672 a so as to enable three-degree-of-freedom positioning ofglenohumeral joint 674 a. A second contemplated means of alignmentcomprises placing articulation 632 a above the head of the wearer. Athird contemplated means of alignment comprises providing anexternal-center-of-rotation mechanism for articulation 632 a. Saidexternal-center-of-rotation mechanism comprises, for example, amechanism located behind the wearer's back producing a simultaneousrotation and translation that substantially replicates the motion of thewearer's sternoclavicular protraction and retraction without the needfor a shared axis of rotation.

In an alternate embodiment of a sternoclavicular joint 672 a, asternoclavicular joint 672 a comprises only a single articulation 630 aemulating elevation and depression of the wearer's scapula.Articulations providing for scapular protraction and retraction areomitted (owing to the relatively small motion of protraction andretraction), and the wearer's scapula is allowed to protract and retractfreely relative to sternoclavicular joint 672 a. In a variation of thisembodiment, articulation 630 a comprises a prismatic or screw pair orother pair capable of producing linear motion, rather than a revolutepair.

Glenohumeral joint 674 a preferably comprises three revolutearticulations having mutually intersecting axes of rotation, which areconfigured to emulate the motion of the glenohumeral joint of thewearer. In the embodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B, torso segment 600comprises two pin-type revolute articulations 636 a and 638 a of aglenohumeral joint 674 a. A third rotary-type revolute articulation 414,located on the upper arm, is shown in FIGS. 4A-B. In this embodiment,articulations 636 a and 638 a are coupled by means of an arc-shapedstructural member 614 a, and emulate via a compound motion the wearer'sglenohumeral flexion/extension and adduction/abduction. Arc-shapedstructural member 614 a is preferred to be shaped so as to project aslittle as possible from the shoulder of the wearer without limiting therange of motion of the wearer or the exoskeleton. Articulation 414(FIGS. 4A-B) emulates the motion of the wearer's glenohumeral internaland external rotation. Articulation 414 is coupled to the rest ofglenohumeral joint 670 a by an upper arm structural member 402 (FIGS.4A-B). Axes of rotation of articulations 636 a, 638 a, and 414 (FIGS.4A-B) preferably approximately intersect the center of rotation of theglenohumeral joint of the wearer. In an alternate embodiment, aglenohumeral joint comprises three revolute articulations with mutuallyintersecting axes of rotation, all of which are located in a torsosegment of an exoskeleton.

Due to the large range of motion of the human glenohumeral joint,careful attention must be paid to placement of each articulation inorder to avoid or minimize kinematic singularities. For example, in theembodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the axes of rotation of articulations 636a and 638 a are angled so as to place kinematic singularities induced bymotion of the wearer's shoulder in rarely used portions of the wearer'sworkspace. In some contemplated embodiments, additional degrees offreedom are added to shoulder joint 670 a in order to resolve ormitigate kinematic singularities in the wearer's workspace.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a left and right hip joint 650 a and 650 b inaccordance with one embodiment. Note that right hip joint 650 a, whichwill be described herein, is substantially equivalent to left hip joint650 b mirrored across the median plane of the body. Hip joint 650 apreferably comprises three revolute articulations having mutuallyintersecting axes of rotation, which are configured to emulate themotion of the hip joint of the wearer. In the embodiment of FIGS. 6A and6B, torso segment 600 comprises two pin-type revolute articulations 616a and 618 a of a hip joint 650 a. A third rotary-type revolutearticulation 514, located on the upper leg, is shown in FIGS. 5A-B. Inthis embodiment, articulations 616 a and 618 a are coupled by means ofan arc-shaped structural member 617 a, and emulate via a compound motionthe wearer's hip flexion/extension and adduction/abduction. Arc-shapedstructural member 617 a is preferred to be shaped so as to project aslittle as possible from the hip of the wearer without limiting the rangeof motion of the wearer or the exoskeleton. Articulation 514 (FIGS.5A-B) emulates the wearer's hip internal and external rotation.Articulation 514 is coupled to the rest of hip joint 650 a by an upperleg structural member 502 (FIGS. 5A-B). Axes of rotation ofarticulations 616 a, 618 a, and 514 (FIGS. 5A-B) preferablyapproximately intersect the center of rotation of the hip joint of thewearer. In an alternate embodiment, a hip joint comprises three revolutearticulations with mutually intersecting axes of rotation, all of whichare located in a torso segment of an exoskeleton.

Though the human hip joint does not have as large a range of motion asthe human glenohumeral joint, careful attention must still be paid toplacement of each articulation in order to avoid or minimize kinematicsingularities. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B, theaxes of rotation of articulations 616 a and 618 a are angled so as toplace kinematic singularities induced by motion of the wearer's hip inrarely used portions of the wearer's workspace. In some contemplatedembodiments, additional degrees of freedom are added to hip joint 650 ain order to resolve or mitigate kinematic singularities in the wearer'sworkspace.

FIG. 8 shows one embodiment of a torso segment 600 of an exoskeleton inwhich a shoulder joint 670 a/b comprises a serial manipulator having atleast 5 degrees of freedom. In a preferred embodiment, a serialmanipulator of a shoulder joint 670 a/b comprises 6 or 7 revolutearticulations arranged in the manner of a robotic arm. Said serialmanipulator comprises a base 802 coupled to structural member 804 via anarticulation 814. Structural member 804 is in turn coupled to structuralmember 806 via articulation 816. Structural member 806 is coupled tostructural member 808 via articulation 818. Structural member 808 is inturn coupled to structural member 810 via articulation 820. Structuralmember 810 is coupled to structural member 812 via articulation 822.Lastly, the serial manipulator is coupled to an upper arm structuralmember 401 b by means of articulation 824.

Other variations of a serial manipulator of a shoulder joint 670 a/bproducing a similar aggregate range of motion are contemplated,including: variations wherein revolute articulations 814-824 arearranged in a different order; variations wherein some or all revolutearticulations 814-824 are replaced with articulations comprising otherbasic kinematic pairs (such as prismatic or spherical pairs); variationswherein one or more portions of a serial manipulator are arranged in aparallel, rather than serial, kinematic configuration; and variationswherein one or more portions of a serial manipulator comprise acontinuum-type manipulator. In one embodiment, a hip joint 650 a/b(FIGS. 6A-B) of an exoskeleton comprises a serial manipulator of theembodiment of FIG. 8, or of another suitable type as describedhereinabove.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-B, in one embodiment of a torso segment 600 ofan exoskeleton, thoracic spinal articulation 660 is omitted, andthoracic structural member 605 is not directly coupled to the wearer'storso. Structural member 605 instead comprises a back support capable ofsupporting the wearer's thorax when sitting or lying down, butconfigured not to otherwise restrict the wearer's range of motion. Inone embodiment, a head support is also included. Said head support ispreferably configured to support the wearer's head when sitting or lyingdown, but not to otherwise restrict the wearer's range of motion. Inanother embodiment, a back support or head support comprises a revolutearticulation configured to allow the wearer's spine to extend whilestill supporting the wearer's head or back against the force of gravity.

A right arm segment 400 a of an exoskeleton can be seen, in accordancewith one embodiment, in FIGS. 4A-4B. Note that left arm segment 400 b,while not shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, is substantially equivalent to right armsegment 400 a mirrored across the median plane of the body. An upper armstructural member 401 a partially or completely enclosing the wearer'supper arm is preferably coupled to a shoulder joint 670 a (FIGS. 6A-B)of a torso segment 600 (FIGS. 6A-B). In one embodiment of a right armsegment 400 a, upper arm structural member 401 a is bisected somewherealong the length of the wearer's upper arm substantially perpendicularto the proximal-distal axis by rotary-type articulation 414 ofglenohumeral joint 674 a (FIGS. 6A-B) to form proximal and distal upperarm structural members 402 and 404. In an alternate embodiment ofglenohumeral joint 674 a (FIGS. 6A-B), as described hereinabove,internal and external rotation of the wearer's shoulder is enabled by anarticulation of torso segment 600 (FIGS. 6A-B), and thus no bisection ofupper arm structural member 401 a is required.

Portions of upper arm structural member 401 a are preferably omittedaround the wearer's glenohumeral joint and elbow joint to avoidinterfering with the motion of these joints. The proximal boundary 436of upper arm structural member 401 a is preferably delimitedapproximately by the acromion process of the wearer's scapula. Proximaledge 438 of upper arm structural member 401 a is preferably shaped so asto avoid the wearer's underarm. Distal edge 440 preferably followsapproximately the arc formed on the wearer's upper arm by the edge ofskin-to-skin contact of the wearer's forearm and upper arm at the pointof extreme flexion of the wearer's elbow. Distal boundary 442 ispreferably delimited approximately by the olecranon process of thewearer's elbow. A portion of upper arm structural member 401 a orarticulation 414 is preferred to completely encircle the wearer's upperarm to lend additional torsional rigidity to the structural member;however, embodiments are contemplated of upper arm structural member 401a where the structural member or its articulations only partiallyencircle the wearer's upper arm. In one example, articulation 414 onlypartially encircles the wearer's upper arm. In one embodiment, an upperarm structural member 401 a comprises a length adjustment mechanism (notshown), preferably located near elbow joint 415 a. An upper armstructural member 401 a optionally also comprises a mechanism thatadjusts upper arm structural member's 401 a angle relative to forearmstructural member 405 a to account for variation in carrying angle of awearer's elbow. Said angle adjustment mechanism is preferably locatednear elbow joint 415 a.

A distal portion of upper arm structural member 401 a is coupled bymeans of an elbow joint 415 a to a forearm structural member 405 apartially or completely enclosing the wearer's forearm. Elbow joint 415a preferably comprises one or more pin-type articulations 416 having anaxis of rotation substantially aligned with the average axis of rotationof the elbow joint in flexion/extension. Articulations 416 of elbowjoint 415 a are preferably configured with pin-type revolutearticulations both medial and lateral to the wearer's elbow forincreased strength and rigidity. Alternately, elbow joint 415 acomprises only a single pin-type revolute articulation, preferablylocated lateral to elbow joint 415 a. Forearm structural member 405 a ispreferably bisected somewhere along the length of the wearer's forearmsubstantially perpendicular to the proximal-distal axis by a rotary-typearticulation 418 allowing for pronation and supination of the wearer'swrist. Bisection of forearm structural member 405 a forms proximal anddistal forearm structural members 406 and 408. In one embodiment, aforearm structural member 405 a comprises a length adjustment mechanism(not shown), preferably located near elbow joint 415 a.

Portions of forearm structural member 405 a are preferably omittedaround the wearer's elbow joint and wrist joint to avoid interferingwith the motion of these joints. The proximal boundary 444 of forearmstructural member 405 a is preferably delimited approximately by theolecranon process of the wearer's elbow (with some additional room leftbetween the distal edge of upper arm structural member 401 a and theproximal edge of forearm structural member 405 a to allow for fullextension of the wearer's elbow). Proximal edge 446 of forearmstructural member 405 a preferably follows approximately the arc formedon the wearer's forearm by the edge of skin-to-skin contact of thewearer's forearm and upper arm at the point of extreme flexion of thewearer's elbow. Distal edge 447 of forearm structural member 405 a ispreferably shaped so as to leave an opening of a sufficient size topermit passing the hand of the wearer through during donning and removalof the exoskeleton. Alternately, a structural discontinuity sufficientto permit passing the hand of the wearer through and an accompanyingfastener is included in the distal portion of forearm structural member405 a. Distal boundary 448 is preferably approximately delimited by theulnar styloid process of the wearer's wrist. A portion of forearmstructural member 405 a or articulation 418 is preferred to completelyencircle the wearer's forearm to lend additional torsional rigidity tothe structural member; however, embodiments are contemplated of forearmstructural member 405 a where the structural member or its articulationsonly partially encircle the wearer's forearm. In one example,articulation 418 only partially encircles the wearer's forearm.

A distal portion of forearm structural member 405 a is coupled by meansof a wrist joint 419 a to an opisthenar structural member 412 partiallyor completely overlying the wearer's second through fifth metacarpals.In a preferred embodiment, wrist joint 419 a comprises a first pin-typerevolute articulation 420 coupled to a second pin-type revolutearticulation 422 by means of structural member 421. An axis of rotationof articulation 420 is preferably substantially aligned with the averageaxis of rotation of the wearer's wrist in flexion/extension. An axis ofrotation of articulation 422 is preferably substantially aligned withthe average axis of rotation of the wearer's wrist in radial/ulnardeviation. Structural member 421 is preferred to be shaped so as toproject as little from the wrist of the wearer as possible withoutlimiting the range of motion of the wearer or the exoskeleton.

The proximal boundary 450 of opisthenar structural member 412 ispreferably delimited approximately by the radial styloid process of thewearer's wrist. Distal boundary 452 is preferably delimitedapproximately by the proximal edge of the metacarpophalangeal joints ofthe wearer's second through fifth metacarpals. Medial and lateralboundaries of opisthenar structural member 412 are preferably delimitedapproximately by the outside edges of the wearer's second and fifthmetacarpal respectively. In one embodiment, an opisthenar structuralmember 412 comprises a length adjustment mechanism (not shown),preferably located near wrist joint 419 a. In a first embodiment, a handsegment 204 a/b (FIG. 2) of an exoskeleton comprises an opisthenarstructural member 412 and a means of securing the opisthenar structuralmember 412 to the wearer's hand (not shown in FIGS. 4A-4B). Said meanscan, for example, comprise a strap, band, glove, brace, or similarelement.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a second embodiment of a hand segment 204 a/bis shown. Opisthenar structural member 412 is coupled to thumb proximalphalangeal structural member 920 via thumb metacarpophalangeal joint939. Thumb metacarpophalangeal joint 939 preferably comprises twopin-type revolute articulations 942 and 944, whose compound motionemulates flexion/extension and abduction/adduction of themetacarpophalangeal joint of the wearer's thumb. Articulation 934 iscoupled to articulation 942 via an arc-shaped structural member 919.Arc-shaped structural member 919 is preferred to be shaped so as toproject as little as possible from the hand of the wearer withoutlimiting the range of motion of the wearer or the exoskeleton.

Thumb proximal phalangeal structural member 920 is coupled to thumbintermediate phalangeal structural member 922 via thumb proximalinterphalangeal joint 935. Thumb proximal interphalangeal joint 935preferably comprises one or more pin-type articulations 936, 937 havingan axis of rotation substantially aligned with the average axis ofrotation of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the wearer's thumb inflexion/extension. Articulations 936, 937 of thumb proximalinterphalangeal joint 935 are preferably configured with pin-typerevolute articulations both medial and lateral to the wearer's thumb forincreased strength and rigidity. Alternately, thumb proximalinterphalangeal joint 935 comprises only a single pin-type revolutearticulation. Thumb intermediate phalangeal structural member 922 iscoupled to thumb distal phalangeal structural member 924 via thumbdistal interphalangeal joint 938. Thumb distal interphalangeal joint 938is preferably substantially similar to thumb proximal interphalangealjoint 936 as described hereinabove.

Opisthenar structural member 412 is coupled to index finger proximalphalangeal structural member 914 and a middle finger proximal phalangealstructural member (not shown) via finger metacarpophalangeal joint 925.Finger metacarpophalangeal joint 925 preferably comprises: a firstpin-type revolute articulation 928—having an axis of rotationsubstantially aligned with the average axis of rotation of the wearer'sindex finger in flexion/extension—coupled to a second pin-type revolutearticulation 930—having an axis of rotation substantially aligned withthe average axis of rotation of the wearer's index finger inabduction/adduction. Metacarpophalangeal joint 925 preferably alsocomprises: a third pin-type revolute articulation 926—having an axis ofrotation substantially aligned with the average axis of rotation of thewearer's middle finger in flexion/extension—coupled by means of ametacarpophalangeal structural member 917 to a fourth pin-type revolutearticulation (not shown)—having an axis of rotation substantiallyaligned with the average axis of rotation of the wearer's middle fingerin abduction/adduction. Metacarpophalangeal structural member 917 ispreferably positioned and shaped to project as little as possible fromthe hand of the wearer without limiting the range of motion of thewearer or the exoskeleton. In particular, metacarpophalangeal structuralmember 917 is preferably positioned and shaped to project as little aspossible from the hand of the wearer without colliding with the top ofthe proximal phalanx of the wearer's index finger in simultaneoushyperextension of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the wearer's indexfinger and flexion of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the wearer'smiddle finger.

Structural members 914-918 and joints 931 and 933 of index fingersegment 950, as well as the equivalent structural members and joints ofa middle finger segment (not shown) are preferably substantially similarto thumb structural members 920-924 and thumb joints 936 and 938, asdescribed hereinabove. Structural members, joints, and articulations ofa pinky finger and ring finger (not shown) are preferably substantiallysimilar to the structural members, joints, and articulations of theindex and middle finger segments respectively, as described hereinabove.

In a third embodiment of a hand segment 204 a/b (FIG. 2), a device isprovided to be held in the wearer's hand. Said device is preferablycoupled to opisthenar structural member 412 (FIGS. 4A-4B). In onevariation, said device comprises a controller, such as a gamecontroller. This controller preferably comprises at least one inputtransducer, such as a button, which can be used to provide input to acomputer-mediated environment process 116 (FIG. 1). In anothervariation, said hand-held device comprises a “prop,” such as a gun,sword, or medical instrument that represents a corresponding article ina computer-mediated environment process 116 (FIG. 1). This prop likewiseoptionally comprises one or more input transducers, such as a trigger,which can be used to provide input to a computer-mediated environmentprocess 116 (FIG. 1). In an additional variation, said hand-held devicecomprises a handle or other stiff projection that can be enclosed by thehand of the wearer.

In a fourth embodiment, a hand segment 204 a/b (FIG. 2) comprises one ormore articulations coupled to opisthenar structural member 412 (FIGS.4A-4B) and configured to produce a force or torque on one or more of thewearer's fingers or phalanges thereof. In a preferred variation of thisembodiment, one or more articulations of a hand segment 204 a/b (FIG. 2)comprise a multi-layer sliding spring mechanism. Said mechanism ispreferably configured to produce a compound bending motion similar tothat of combined motion of the wearer's metacarpophalangeal, proximalinterphalangeal, and distal interphalangeal joints in flexion andextension of a finger of the wearer. In one variation, the multi-layersliding spring mechanism is coupled to a pin-type revolute articulationin order to emulate abduction/adduction of a metacarpophalangeal jointof the wearer. Said pin-type revolute articulation preferably has anaxis of rotation substantially aligned with the average axis of rotationof a metacarpophalangeal joint of the wearer in abduction/adduction of afinger of the wearer.

A right leg segment 500 a of an exoskeleton can be seen, in accordancewith one embodiment, in FIGS. 5A-B. Note that left leg segment 500 b,while not shown in FIGS. 5A-B, is substantially equivalent to right legsegment 500 a mirrored across the median plane of the body. An upper legstructural member 501 a partially or completely enclosing the wearer'supper leg is preferably coupled to a hip joint 650 a (FIGS. 6A-B) of atorso segment 600 (FIGS. 6A-B). In one embodiment of a right leg segment500 a, upper leg structural member 501 a is bisected somewhere along thelength of the wearer's upper leg substantially perpendicular to theproximal-distal axis by rotary-type articulation 514 of hip joint 650 a(FIGS. 6A-B) to form proximal and distal upper leg structural members502 and 504. In an alternate embodiment of hip joint 650 a (FIGS. 6A-B),as described hereinabove, internal and external rotation of the wearer'ship is enabled by an articulation of torso segment 600 (FIGS. 6A-B), andthus no bisection of upper leg structural member 501 a is required.

Portions of upper leg structural member 501 a are preferably omittedaround the wearer's hip joint and knee joint to avoid interfering withthe motion of these joints. The proximal boundary 536 of upper legstructural member 501 a is preferably delimited approximately by thegreater trochanter of the wearer's femur. Proximal edge 538 of upper legstructural member 501 a is preferably shaped so as to avoid the wearer'sgroin. Distal edge 540 preferably follows approximately the arc formedon the wearer's upper leg by the edge of skin-to-skin contact of thewearer's lower leg and upper leg at the point of extreme flexion of thewearer's knee. Distal boundary 542 is preferably delimited approximatelyby the lateral epicondyle of the wearer's femur. A portion of upper legstructural member 501 a or articulation 514 is preferred to completelyencircle the wearer's upper leg to lend additional torsional rigidity tothe structural member; however, embodiments are contemplated of upperleg structural member 501 a where the structural member or itsarticulations only partially encircle the wearer's upper leg. In oneexample, articulation 514 only partially encircles the wearer's upperleg. In one embodiment, an upper leg structural member 501 a comprises alength adjustment mechanism (not shown), preferably located near kneejoint 515 a.

A distal portion of upper leg structural member 501 a is coupled bymeans of a knee joint 515 a to a lower leg structural member 505 apartially or completely enclosing the lower leg. Knee joint 515 apreferably comprises one or more pin-type articulations 516 having anaxis of rotation substantially aligned with the average axis of rotationof the wearer's knee joint in flexion/extension. Articulations 516 ofknee joint 515 a are preferably configured with pin-type revolutearticulations both medial and lateral to the wearer's knee for increasedstrength and rigidity. Alternately, knee joint 515 a comprises only asingle pin-type revolute articulation, preferably located lateral toknee joint 515 a. In an alternate embodiment, knee joint 515 a comprisesa four-bar mechanism producing a simultaneous rotation and translationconfigured to approximately follow the corresponding rotation andtranslation of the wearer's knee joint in flexion/extension. Lower legstructural member 505 a is optionally bisected somewhere along thelength of the wearer's lower leg substantially perpendicular to theproximal-distal axis by a rotary-type articulation 518 allowing forinternal and external rotation of the wearer's knee. Optional bisectionof lower leg structural member 505 a forms proximal and distal lower legstructural members 506 and 508. In a preferred embodiment, internal andexternal rotation of the wearer's knee is accommodated by motion ofother articulations such as those of hip joint 650 a (FIGS. 6A-B) orankle joint 519 a and thus no bisection of lower leg structural member505 a is required. In one embodiment, a lower leg structural member 505a comprises a length adjustment mechanism (not shown), preferablylocated near knee joint 515 a.

Portions of lower leg structural member 505 a are preferably omittedaround the wearer's knee joint and ankle joint to avoid interfering withthe motion of these joints. The proximal boundary 544 of lower legstructural member 505 a is preferably delimited approximately by thelateral epicondyle of the wearer's femur (with some additional room leftbetween the distal edge of upper leg structural member 501 a and theproximal edge of lower leg structural member 505 a to allow for fullextension of the wearer's knee). Proximal edge 546 of lower legstructural member 505 a preferably follows approximately the arc formedon the wearer's lower leg by the edge of skin-to-skin contact of thewearer's lower leg and upper leg at the point of extreme flexion of thewearer's knee. Distal edge 547 of lower leg structural member 505 apreferably is shaped so as to leave an opening of a sufficient size topermit passing the foot of the wearer through during donning and removalof the exoskeleton. Alternately, a structural discontinuity sufficientto permit passing the foot of the wearer through and an accompanyingfastener is included in the distal portion of lower leg structuralmember 505 a. Distal boundary 548 of lower leg structural member 505 ais preferably delimited approximately by the lateral malleolus of thewearer's fibula. A portion of lower leg structural member 505 a orarticulation 518 is preferred to completely encircle the wearer's lowerleg to lend additional torsional rigidity to the structural member;however, embodiments are contemplated of lower leg structural member 505a where the structural member or its articulations only partiallyencircle the wearer's lower leg.

A distal portion of lower leg structural member 505 a is coupled bymeans of an ankle joint 519 a to a foot segment 512 a. In a preferredembodiment, ankle joint 519 a comprises a first pin-type revolutearticulation 520 coupled to a second pin-type revolute articulation 522by means of structural member 521. An axis of rotation of articulation520 is preferably substantially aligned with the average axis ofrotation of the wearer's ankle in dorsiflexion/plantarflexion. An axisof rotation of articulation 522 is preferably substantially aligned withthe average axis of rotation of the wearer's ankle ininversion/eversion. Structural member 521 is preferred to be shaped soas to project as little from the ankle of the wearer as possible withoutlimiting the range of motion of the wearer or the exoskeleton.

In one embodiment, foot segment 512 a comprises a shoe with a stiff,load-bearing portion 510 (preferably the sole) that is coupled to thefoot of the wearer. In this embodiment, the other elements of footsegment 512 a comprise any suitable combination of straps or bands (inthe manner of a sandal), or an “upper” composed of any of a variety ofsuitable materials with one or more fasteners such as laces, Velcro, orbuckles (in the manner of an athletic shoe or boot). In an alternateembodiment, foot segment 512 a comprises a load-bearing portion 510(again preferably the sole), and one or more fasteners for securing aseparate shoe or other foot covering to the load-bearing portion 510 offoot segment 512 a. In one embodiment, foot segment 512 a comprises alength adjustment mechanism (not shown), preferably located near anklejoint 519 a. The bottom of foot segment 512 a is optionally lined orcoated with a variety of functional materials. In one example, a durablecoating of a material such as rubber with or without grooves or treadsis applied to increase traction. In another example, a friction-reducingmaterial is applied to facilitate use of an exoskeleton with asupplementary support surface 1416 (FIG. 14; see “Motion Simulator”section).

In one embodiment of foot segment 512 a, one or more separate toesegments are coupled by means of one or more metatarsophalangealarticulations to load-bearing portion 510. In one variation of thisembodiment, a first toe segment partially or completely overlies thehallux, and a second toe segment partially or completely overlies theremaining toes.

Locomotor System

One or more articulations of an exoskeleton are actuated by a locomotorsystem comprising a plurality of locomotor modules. FIG. 3 shows a blockdiagram of a locomotor module 300 in accordance with one embodiment. Anactuator assembly 306—comprising one or more actuators driven by a powersupply 302—is coupled to an actuated articulation 324 by a powertransmission system 320. A first sensor package 312 senses the position,angle, force, or torque at actuator assembly 306 by means of a positionor angle sensor 314 or a force or torque sensor 316. A second sensorpackage 326 optionally senses the position, angle, force, or torque atactuated articulation 324 by means of a position or angle sensor 328 ora force or torque sensor 330. The second sensor package 326 optionallyalso includes a biosignal sensor 332, such as an electrode suitable forsurface electromyography that is configured to contact the wearer'sskin.

One or more safety features are preferred to be included in a locomotormodule to prevent the application of harmful forces or torques to thewearer's body. A first safety feature comprises a current or pressurelimiter 304 which prevents power supply 302 from transmitting excessivepower to actuator assembly 306. A second safety feature comprises aforce or torque limiter 318 which prevents actuator assembly 306 fromtransmitting excessive force or torque to power transmission system 320.A third safety feature comprises a position or angle limiter thatprevents actuated articulation 324 from reaching a position or anglewhich could injure the wearer's joints.

Any suitable actuators can be used in actuator assembly 306 in anycombination, including electromechanical, fluidic, or solid-stateactuators. In a preferred embodiment, actuator assembly 306 comprisesone or more contractile actuators, such as one of the class of“artificial muscles.” In an even more preferred embodiment, acontractile actuator of actuator assembly 306 comprises a McKibben-typeartificial muscle comprising an expandable inner tube surrounded by anouter braided sheath. This assembly is closed off at one end and coupledto a tension member. The other end is coupled to a pressurized fluidline. When working fluid is allowed into the muscle, the flexible innertube expands in diameter. This applies tension to the sheath and causesthe artificial muscle fiber to contract in length, thus applying acontrollable tensile force to the tensile member.

In an alternate embodiment, a contractile actuator of actuator assembly306 comprises a contractile material. In a variation of this embodiment,the displacement of a contractile actuator of actuator assembly 306 isamplified by twisting the material of the actuator. In anothervariation, a number of small-diameter artificial muscle fibers areganged together into a muscle bundle so as to arbitrarily increase totalpower output. Said muscle bundle is, for example, arranged in a largelyplanar fashion around the outside surface of an exoskeleton.

In another preferred embodiment, actuator assembly 306 comprises one ormore electromechanical actuators, such as a brushed or brushless DCmotor, or an AC induction or synchronous motor. In many embodiments, aspeed reduction mechanism is preferably used to increase the torqueoutput of an electromechanical actuator. In a preferred embodiment, aspeed reduction mechanism comprises a continuous, cable-drivenmechanism. In an alternate embodiment, a speed reduction mechanismcomprises a gearbox, such as a strain wave, planetary, or spur gearbox.In an additional embodiment, actuator assembly 306 comprises one or moreseries-elastic elements, such as a spring, between the actuator 308, 310and the actuated articulation 324 for improved force control.

In another additional embodiment, actuator assembly 306 comprises one ormore variable stiffness or variable impedance actuators, preferablycomprising a variable stiffness material. In a version of thisembodiment, one or more variable stiffness or variable impedanceactuators are used to join one or more structural members in place of orin addition to one or more articulations.

Power supply 302 and current/pressure limiter 304 are chosen to becompatible with the selected actuator or actuators. For example, anelectrical power supply and a circuit breaker or fuse respectively isused with an electromechanical actuator or other electrically drivenactuator, while a pressurized pneumatic or hydraulic supply and a reliefvalve or burst disc respectively is used with a fluidic actuator.

Actuator assembly 306 optionally includes multiple actuators in avariety of configurations. In one embodiment, two coupled actuators 308and 310 are configured to independently regulate both the force ortorque and the damping of an actuated articulation 324. Independentcontrol of damping may provide numerous advantages including anincreased Z-width, increased maximum resistive force or torque atactuated articulation 324, and reduced power consumption with someactuator types.

In one embodiment of independent damping control, two contractileactuators are arranged into an agonist-antagonist pair acting in tensionon actuated articulation 324. Force or torque in one direction can beregulated by actuating the first actuator and relaxing the second; forceor torque in the opposite direction can be regulated by doing thereverse. Damping of the actuated articulation 324 can be regulated byactuating both actuators equally to a varying degree. In anotherembodiment of independent damping control, an actuator is coupled to aresistive mechanism such as an electromagnetic brake (including afriction-plate brake, particle brake, hysteresis power brake,magnetorheological brake, or eddy current brake) or anon-electromagnetic brake (including a piezoelectric brake orelectrorheological brake). In this embodiment, bi-directional force ortorque is controlled by an actuator and damping is controlled by aresistive mechanism.

Position or angle sensors 314, 328 can be placed anywhere within alocomotor module in any combination. A first embodiment of a position orangle sensor comprises: a plurality of optical, acoustic, magnetic, orradio frequency markers located on an exoskeleton; and one or moreexternally located devices which transduce the 3D position of themarkers to a computer-interpretable form in real time. A secondembodiment comprises an inertial sensor such as an accelerometer orgyroscope coupled to one or more segments of an exoskeleton to measurelinear and/or rotational acceleration of a portion of the exoskeleton.In a third embodiment, magnetometers are placed adjacent to smallpermanent magnets on opposite sides of an articulation of anexoskeleton. Change in field strength due to displacement of the magnetrelative to the magnetometer is measured in order to ascertain change inangle and/or position of the corresponding articulation. In a fourthembodiment, a potentiometer, encoder, or other goniometer is utilized totransduce the angle or position of an actuator, actuator assembly, orarticulation of an exoskeleton to which it is attached. In a fifthembodiment, a magnetometer is used to sense a magnetic field originatingexternally to an exoskeleton (such as magnetic north) to ascertainorientation, or an accelerometer or inclinometer is used to ascertainorientation relative to the gravity vector. Multiple motion trackingsystems, as for example any and all of those referenced hereinabove, canbe combined to increase accuracy or robustness of the resultant data.

Force or torque sensors 316, 330 can also be placed anywhere within alocomotor module in any combination. In various embodiments, force ortorque sensors 316, 330 comprise a strain gauge (such as a foil,semiconductor, thin film, or wire strain gauge), piezoelectric sensor(such as a piezoelectric crystal or piezoelectric film sensor), or othertype of sensor (such as a linear variable differential transformer,capacitive displacement sensor, optical sensor, magneto-elastic device,or vibrating element force transducer). In a first embodiment, the forceor torque to be measured acts on one or more intermediate elements,rather than directly acting on the aforementioned sensors. In oneexample of said first embodiment, a linear variable differentialtransformer is used to measure the displacement of a spring (with aknown spring constant) under load in order to approximate the forceacting on the spring. In a second example of said first embodiment,deformation of a structural member of an exoskeleton is measured bymeans of e.g. a strain gauge in order to approximate the force or torqueacting on the structural member. In a second embodiment, the force ortorque is derived from measurement of the power flowing into or out ofan actuator assembly 306. For instance, the current flowing into anelectromechanical actuator is measured to estimate the force or torqueoutput of said actuator.

In one embodiment, force or torque limiter 318 comprises a mechanismthat predictably disconnects, breaks, or slips under a given force ortorque. Examples include mechanical devices (such as a shear pin, a balldetent, a pawl and spring or a friction plate) and non-mechanicaldevices (such as a magnetic coupling or magnetic clutch).

A power transmission system 320 transfers power between portions of alocomotor system—especially between actuator assembly 306 and actuatedarticulation 324—by mechanical, fluidic, electrical, or other means.Power transmission systems can be placed anywhere within a locomotorsystem in any combination. In a preferred embodiment, a powertransmission system 320 enables one or more articulations 324 to beremotely actuated—i.e. actuated by an actuator assembly 306 located somedistance away. Remote actuation is preferred for many actuatedarticulations 324 in order to reduce the size and mass of theexoskeleton. A portion of one or more locomotor modules 300(particularly power supply 302, current/pressure limiter 304, actuatorassembly 306, sensor package 312, or force/torque limiter 318) areadvantageously located away from the body of the wearer, preferablywithin housing 1403 (FIG. 14). Directly actuated articulations—i.e.articulations that are directly coupled to an actuator assembly 306—donot require a power transmission system 320 between the actuatorassembly 306 and actuated articulation 324.

In a preferred embodiment of a power transmission system 320, actuatorassembly 306 is coupled to actuated articulation 324 by one or moretensile member assemblies. Tensile member assemblies are preferablygrouped into agonist-antagonist pairs. A housing of a tensile memberassembly is preferably positioned and routed so as to minimize the totalangular displacement of the distal end of said housing relative to theproximal end. In a preferred variation, each tensile member assembly isselectively secured to one or more of the structural members along itsrun so as to delimit a preferred path for the tensile member assembly.

In one embodiment, one or more pulleys are used to redirect a tensilemember instead of, or in combination with, one or more housings in orderto reduce friction. Said pulleys are preferably arranged such that afirst idler pulley and a second idler pulley rotate relative to eachother about the axis of rotation of a primary pulley. A first tensilemember and second tensile member are preferably configured to cross overeach other between the first idler pulley and the primary pulley, andagain between the primary pulley and the second idler pulley.

In another embodiment, a power transmission system 320 comprises afluidic transmission system that supplies a pressurized working fluid toactuate one or more fluidic actuators of a rotary, cylinder,artificial-muscle, or other type. Fluidic lines are preferably arrangedin a similar manner to the tensile members shown in FIGS. 2, 4A-5B, and7. Like a tensile member, a fluidic line is preferably selectivelysecured to one or more of the structural members or articulations alongits run so as to delimit a preferred path for the line.

In some embodiments of a locomotor module 300, a position or anglelimiter 322 is included. Position or angle limiter 322 is preferred tocomprise a mechanical device that physically stops actuated articulation324 from reaching an unsafe position or angle.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-B, some or all articulations of a torsosegment 600 of an exoskeleton are preferred to be directly actuated, asthey are anticipated to be positioned substantially outside theworkspace of the wearer; however, distal articulations of a shoulderjoint or hip joint of an exoskeleton are preferred to be remotelyactuated to minimize interference with the wearer's workspace. In oneembodiment of shoulder joint 670 a/b, hip joint 650 a/b or thoracicspinal joint 660, a position or angle sensor, a force or torque sensor,or a force or torque limiter is located at each articulation. In anotherembodiment, a multiple-degree-of-freedom position or angle senor, amulti-axis force or torque sensor, or a force or torque limiter islocated at the distal end of shoulder joint 670 a/b, hip joint 650 a/bor thoracic spinal joint 660. In one embodiment of a serial manipulator660, 802-824 (FIG. 8), a position or angle limiter, a force or torquelimiter, or other suitable means is provided to prevent harmfulcollision of parts of a serial manipulator with the wearer's body. Powertransmission elements (not shown in FIGS. 6A-B for clarity), such asfluidic lines or tensile members, emanating from torso segment 600 orother portions of an exoskeleton are preferably gathered in a singleterminal group 740, which is coupled to a plurality of actuatorassemblies 306 (FIG. 3) of a locomotor system.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4B, locomotor systems of a right arm segment400 a of an exoskeleton are shown in accordance with one embodiment.Although the embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4B depicts a tensile-member-basedpower transmission system, placement and routing of fluidic lines for afluidic power transmission system is anticipated to be substantiallysimilar. Radial or ulnar deviation of wrist articulation 422 is producedby the action of tensile member assemblies 434 a and 434 b respectively.Flexion or extension of wrist articulation 420 is produced by the actionof tensile member assemblies 432 a and 432 b respectively. Pronation orsupination of articulation 418 is produced by the action of tensilemember assemblies 430 a and 430 b respectively. Tensile member assembly430 b is secured to upper arm structural member 401 a by anchor point431. Tensile member assemblies 430 a and 432 a-434 b are secured toupper arm structural member 401 a by anchor point 429. Flexion orextension of elbow articulation 416 is produced by the action of tensilemember assemblies 428 a and 428 b respectively. Tensile memberassemblies 428 a-434 b are coupled to form tensile member assemblybundle 427. Internal or external rotation of shoulder articulation 414is produced by the action of tensile member assemblies 426 a and 426 brespectively. Tensile member assemblies 426 a and 426 b are coupled toform tensile member assembly bundle 425.

In one embodiment, tensile member assembly bundles 425, 427 of right armsegment 400 a terminate on or near upper arm structural member 401 a. Inanother embodiment, tensile member assembly bundles terminate on theback of the wearer. Tensile member assembly bundles 425 and 427 arepreferably routed to a point near the shoulder blades of the wearer.Said routing preferably follows a path configured to minimize angulardisplacement of the distal end of said bundles (e.g. anchor points 429and 431) in a common posture of the wearer's arms (i.e. where thewearer's shoulders are angled as they would be when holding a smallobject approximately 20 cm out from the wearer's abdomen approximatelylevel with the wearer's solar plexus). In another embodiment, tensilemember assemblies 430 a-434 b of a forearm segment or tensile memberassemblies of a hand segment 204 a/b are coupled to one or more pulleyshaving a center of rotation substantially aligned with the averagecenter of rotation of the wearer's elbow in flexion/extension.

In one embodiment, a hand segment 204 a/b (FIG. 2) of an exoskeletoncomprises one or more tensile members of a power transmission system 320(FIG. 3) configured to produce a net force or torque on one or more ofthe wearer's fingers or the phalanges thereof. In one variation of thisembodiment, tensile members are secured to the opisthenar and palmarsurfaces of one or more phalanges of a finger by one or more anchorpoints. In another variation, articulations of a hand segment 204 a/bare omitted, allowing one or more tensile members to act directly on thewearer's joints. In a third variation, a multi-layer sliding springmechanism is actuated by means of a mechanism that comprises: a firsttensile member configured to produce a force on the sliding springmechanism sufficient to induce bending in one direction; and a spring orsecond tensile member, acting in opposition to the first tensile member,configured to induce bending in the opposite direction.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-B, locomotor systems of a right leg segment500 a of an exoskeleton are shown in accordance with one embodiment.Although the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-B depicts a tensile-member-basedpower transmission system, placement and routing of fluidic lines for afluidic power transmission system is anticipated to be substantiallysimilar. Inversion or eversion of ankle articulation 522 is produced bythe action of tensile member assemblies 534 a and 534 b respectively.Dorsiflexion or plantarflexion of ankle articulation 520 is produced bythe action of tensile member assemblies 532 a and 532 b respectively.Internal or external rotation of articulation 518 is produced by theaction of tensile member assemblies 530 a and 530 b respectively.Flexion or extension of knee articulation 516 is produced by the actionof tensile member assembly 528 a and 528 b respectively. Internal orexternal rotation of hip articulation 514 is produced by the action oftensile member assemblies 526 a and 526 b respectively. Tensile memberassemblies of right leg segment 500 a are coupled to form tensile memberassembly bundle 527.

In one embodiment, tensile member assembly bundles 525, 527 of right legsegment 500 a terminate on or near upper leg structural member 501 a. Inanother embodiment, tensile member assembly bundles terminate on theback of the wearer. Tensile member assembly bundles 525 and 527 arepreferably routed to a point near the sacrum of the wearer. Said routingpreferably follows a path configured to minimize angular displacement ofthe distal end of said bundles in a common posture of the wearer's legs(i.e. where the wearer's hips are angled as they would be when standingstraight up). In another embodiment, tensile member assemblies 530 a-534b of a lower leg segment or tensile member assemblies of a foot segment512 a/b are coupled to one or more pulleys having a center of rotationsubstantially aligned with the average center of rotation of thewearer's knee in flexion/extension.

In one embodiment, a foot segment 512 a/b (FIGS. 5A-B) of an exoskeletoncomprises one or more tensile members of a power transmission system 320(FIG. 3) configured to produce a net force or torque on one or more ofthe wearer's toes. In one variation of this embodiment, tensile membersare secured to the plantar and dorsal surfaces of one or more toes byone or more anchor points. In another variation, articulations of a footsegment 512 a/b are omitted, allowing one or more tensile members to actdirectly on the wearer's joints.

Temporary Coupling

FIG. 7 shows an exoskeleton in accordance with a preferred embodiment.The exoskeleton comprises: a point-of-use portion 701 located at theintended point of use of the human-computer interface terminal 102(FIG. 1) of which the exoskeleton is a part, and a body-borne portion703 worn on the body of a user. The point-of-use portion 701 isconfigured to be transitively coupled to one or more body-borne portions703 so as to form an operative exoskeleton. Having a point-of-useportion 701 configured to be transitively coupled to one or morebody-borne portions 703 allows multiple users 100 (FIG. 1) of ahuman-computer interface of potentially disparate body sizes and shapesto efficiently share a single human-computer interface terminal 102(FIG. 1). This transitive-coupling arrangement also allows body-borneportion 703 to be lighter, simpler, less expensive, and potentiallyeasier to don and take off.

Body-borne portion 703 is operatively coupled to point-of-use portion701 by means of one or more temporary coupling points 702 a-710 b. Invarious embodiments, temporary coupling points 702 a-710 b comprisepower-transmission couplings (of fluidic, electrical, tensile-member, orother types), or non-power-transmission couplings (such as mechanicalcouplings or data transmission couplings). Temporary coupling points 702a-710 b are preferably located so as to minimize interference of thecoupling points with free movement of the wearer or exoskeleton.

In one embodiment, a temporary coupling point comprises a mechanicalcoupling that attaches a point-of-use portion 701 of an exoskeleton to abody-borne portion 703 of an exoskeleton to form a compositeload-bearing structure. A mechanical coupling of a temporary couplingpoint is preferably composed in whole or in part of a rigid structuralmaterial.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show a mechanical coupling 1000 of a temporarycoupling point in accordance with one embodiment. Mechanical coupling1000 comprises: a female connector 1001, preferably located on abody-borne portion 703 of an exoskeleton; and a male connector 1002,preferably located on a point-of-use portion 701 of an exoskeleton.Female connector 1001 comprises: a ring member 1006 having a groove 1007configured to receive a plurality of locking balls 1016; and one or morereceptacles 1008, each configured to receive a pin 1018. Male connector1002 comprises: a plurality of locking balls 1016, each positionedadjacent to a corresponding hole 1017 in member 1010; and a plunger 1012having a groove 1014 configured to receive a plurality of locking balls1016.

In order to effect a coupling between female connector 1001 and maleconnector 1002, first the two connectors are positioned approximately asshown in FIG. 10A with pins 1018 substantially aligned with receptacles1008. Next, pins 1018 are inserted into receptacles 1008. Finally alocking force is applied to plunger 1012, pushing it down toward femaleconnector 1001. Said locking force pushes locking balls 1016 outwardthrough holes 1017 due to the profile of groove 1014. Locking balls 1016now protrude into groove 1007 in ring member 1006 of female connector1001. The profile of groove 1007 prevents separation of the femaleconnector 1001 and male connector 1002 while locking force is applied toplunger 1012. Pins 1018 in receptacles 1008 prevent rotation of the twoconnectors relative to one another. In order to uncouple the maleconnector 1002 from the female connector 1001, locking force is removedfrom plunger 1012, thereby allowing the two connectors to be separated.

Numerous alternate embodiments of a mechanical coupling of a temporarycoupling point are contemplated. In a first alternate embodiment, amechanical coupling of a temporary coupling point comprises a hook andloop fastener, threaded fastener, buckle, button, clasp, clamp, latch,pin, strap, tie, zipper, anchor, snap, or other mechanically matedtemporary fastener, or a combination of two or more of the above. In asecond alternate embodiment, a mechanical coupling of a temporarycoupling point comprises a dry or wet adhesive or other chemically matedtemporary fastener. In a third alternate embodiment, a mechanicalcoupling of a temporary coupling point comprises a suction cup or othertemporary fastener mated by means of fluid pressure. In a fourthalternate embodiment, a mechanical coupling of a temporary couplingpoint comprises a permanent magnet, electromagnet, or other temporaryfastener mated by means of electromagnetic attraction or repulsion.

In one embodiment, a temporary coupling point comprises one or moreelectrical connectors or fluidic connectors 2350 (FIGS. 23A-B). In onevariation, an electrical connection is effected via wirelesstransmission by means of, for example: electromagnetic radiation ofradio, microwave, optical or other frequencies; ultrasoniccommunication; electromagnetic induction; or combinations of two or moreof the above. In another embodiment, a temporary coupling pointcomprises one or more alignment aids. In one embodiment, an alignmentaid comprises one or more magnets placed on female connector 1001 andone or more corresponding magnets placed on male connector 1002. Saidmagnets are configured to produce a corrective force aiding alignmentwhen brought into close proximity. Alignment and coupling of connectors1001 and 1002 is optionally automated (i.e. effected by a serialmanipulator or other actuated element of an exoskeleton) or manual (i.e.effected by the wearer of an exoskeleton or by another person). In thecase of automated coupling, additional alignment aids are optionallyincluded, such as: a still or video camera; a capacitive, inductive,optical, or other proximity sensing device; or additional position/anglesensors of the type described hereinabove (in the “Locomotor System”section), or of another suitable type; or a combination of two or moreof the above.

In a third embodiment, a temporary coupling point comprises one or moretensile member power transmission couplings. A tensile member powertransmission coupling comprises one or more mating connectors,preferably with a shared locking mechanism, configured to transmit atensile force from a first tensile member to a second tensile member.Said locking mechanism preferably comprises a rotating or slidingelement having a face coupled to a face of another rotating or slidingelement. Coupling of one element to another is accomplished, inaccordance with one variation, by means of any of the mechanicalcouplings described hereinabove or by means of another suitablemechanical coupling.

FIGS. 13A-C show a tensile member power transmission coupling inaccordance with a preferred embodiment. A tensile member powertransmission coupling comprises a male connector 1304 configured to matewith a female connector 1302. The female connector 1302 is preferablylocated on a body-borne portion of an exoskeleton. Male connector 1304comprises a plurality of pulleys 1301. Each pulley 1301 is coupled bymeans of an inside termination (not shown) to a tensile member assemblycomprising: a tensile member 1318 coupled to a first housing 1320, andto a second housing 1322. Each pulley 1301 is also coupled by means ofan axle (not shown) to a projection 1343 so as to allow the pulley 1301to rotate about said axle. Similarly, female connector 1302 comprises aplurality of pulleys 1311. Each pulley 1311 is coupled by means of aninside termination (not shown) to a tensile member assembly comprising:a tensile member 1324 coupled to a first housing 1326, and to a secondhousing 1328. Each pulley 1311 is also coupled by means of an axle (notshown) to a projection 1341 so as to allow the pulley 1301 to rotateabout said axle. Pulleys 1301 of a male connector and pulleys 1311 of afemale connector each comprise a face having a plurality of interlockingelements 1309, each interlocking element 1309 preferably having awedge-shaped profile. Male connector 1304 is contained within anenclosure 1310. Female connector 1302 is contained within a secondenclosure 1312.

In order to effect a power transmission coupling between a tensilemember of a male connector 1304 and a tensile member of a femaleconnector 1302, first the two connectors are aligned as shown in FIG.13A. Second, the male connector 1304 is inserted into the femaleconnector 1302 until retaining clip 1330 of the male connector 1304snaps into orifice 1332 of the female connector 1302; chamfered outsideedge 1333 of retaining clip 1330 forces retaining clip 1330 over theedge of enclosure 1312 of female connector 1302. Flanges 1306, 1308 ofprojections 1343, 1341 prevent contact between pulleys 1301, 1311 duringinsertion. Lastly, lever 1314 is moved from the position seen in FIG.13A to the position seen in FIG. 13B, causing cam 1315 to displace 1345pulley assembly 1307 relative to enclosure 1312. When force is appliedto pulley assembly 1307 by the action of cam 1315, the profile ofinterlocking elements 1309 of each pulley forces pulleys 1301 of themale connector 1304 to align with pulleys 1311 of the female connector1302, thus coupling their rotations. Once the pulley assemblies 1305 and1307 of the male and female connectors are aligned, a force applied to atensile member of one pulley assembly will be transmitted to a tensilemember of the other assembly.

To disengage the male and female connectors, lever 1314 is moved back tothe position of FIG. 13A, and a pulling force is applied to separate thetwo connectors. Chamfered inside edge 1331 of retaining clip 1330 forcesthe retaining clip 1330 out of orifice 1332 when said pulling force isapplied. The construction of retaining clip 1330 regulates the forcerequired to couple and decouple the male and female connectors. In oneembodiment, coupling or decoupling of the male and female connectors isautomated by, for example, coupling lever 1314 to an actuator.

In an alternate embodiment, a tensile member power transmission couplingcomprises a coupling stage assembly configured to slide along a rail.Said coupling stage assembly is coupled to a tensile member of a tensilemember assembly. In order to effect a power transmission couplingbetween two tensile members, a first coupling stage assembly and asecond coupling stage assembly are arranged with a surface face-to-faceand pressed together so as to couple their lateral motion. Once thefirst and second coupling sled assemblies are locked together, a forceapplied to a tensile member of one assembly will be transmitted to atensile member of the other assembly.

FIGS. 6A-B show temporary coupling points of a torso segment 600 of anexoskeleton in accordance with one embodiment. Referring now to FIGS.4A-7, right shoulder joint 670 a is mechanically coupled to right upperarm structural member 401 a via a temporary coupling point comprisingconnectors 704 a and 704 b. Left shoulder joint 670 b is mechanicallycoupled to left upper arm structural member 401 b via a temporarycoupling point comprising connectors 708 a and 708 b. Right hip joint650 a is mechanically coupled to right upper leg structural member 501 avia a temporary coupling point comprising connectors 702 a and 702 b.Left hip joint 650 b is mechanically coupled to left upper legstructural member 501 b via a temporary coupling point comprisingconnectors 706 a and 706 b.

In one embodiment, temporary coupling points 702 a-708 b comprise aplurality of tensile member power transmission couplings configured totransmit power from actuator assemblies 306 to a body-borne portion 703of an exoskeleton; however, given the limited accessible surface area ofupper arm structural members 401 a/b and upper leg structural members501 a/b, tensile member power transmission couplings betweenpoint-of-use portion 701 and body-borne portion 703 are preferred to belocated on the back of the wearer. FIG. 7 shows a single temporarycoupling point (comprising connectors 710 a and 710 b), which comprisesa tensile member power transmission coupling.

In one embodiment, a first temporary coupling point is configured totransmit power to actuated articulations of arm segments 400 a and 400 b(FIG. 2) and other actuated articulations of the upper body, and asecond temporary coupling point is configured to transmit power toactuated articulations of leg segments 500 a and 500 b (FIG. 2) andother actuated articulations of the lower body. Said first temporarycoupling point is preferred to be located approximately between theshoulder blades of the wearer. Tensile member assemblies emanating fromthe first temporary coupling point are preferably pointed toward thewearer's feet at a slight to moderate lateral-facing angle so as tominimize the angular displacement of the tensile member assembliesrelative to their proximal-most anchor point as discussed hereinabove(in the “Locomotor System” sub-section). Said second temporary couplingpoint is preferred to be located adjacent to the wearer's pelvis.Tensile member assemblies emanating from the second temporary couplingpoint are preferably pointed toward the wearer's feet at a slightlateral-facing angle so as to minimize the angular displacement of thetensile member assemblies relative to their proximal-most anchor point.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a point-of-use portion701 of an exoskeleton comprises a torso segment 600, and a body-borneportion 703 of an exoskeleton comprises arm segments 400 a/b (FIG. 2)and leg segments 500 a/b (FIG. 2); however, embodiments are contemplatedwherein an exoskeleton is either wholly body-borne, located permanentlyat a point-of-use of a human-computer interface terminal, or anywhere inbetween. In a first example, temporary coupling points 702 a-708 b areomitted, and a body-borne portion 703 comprises shoulder joints 670 a/b,hip joints 650 a/b, or thoracic spinal joint 670. In a second example,temporary coupling points 702 a-708 b are located on forearm structuralmembers 405 a/b or lower leg structural members 505 a/b, and apoint-of-use portion 701 comprises upper arm structural members 401 a/bor upper leg structural members 501 a/b. In a variation of said secondexample, a point-of-use portion 701 also comprises elbow joints 415 a/bor knee joints 515 a/b. In a third example, a body-borne portion 703comprises one or more structural members 402, 404, 406, 408, 412, 502,504, 506, 508, or 512 and a point-of-use portion comprises one or morejoints 414, 415, 418, 419, 515, 515, 518, or 519. In this example,structural members of a body-borne portion 703 are preferably coupled tojoints of a point-of-use portion 701 by a first and second temporarycoupling point located on a proximal and distal portion respectively ofeach joint and structural member. In a fourth example, a body-borneportion 703 is divided into a first collection of elements and a secondcollection of elements. Said first collection of elements preferablycomprises at least structural members 402, 404, 406, 408, 412, 502, 504,506, 508, or 512. In a preferred variation of this last example, theaforementioned second collection of elements of a body-borne portion 703is shared between multiple first collections of elements of a body-borneportion 703.

Motion Simulator

Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, a human-computer interfaceterminal 102 comprises a motion simulator 143 configured to affect theorientation or acceleration of the body of a user 106. A motionsimulator 143 variously enables the simulation of: forces opposinggravity, such as lying in a bed or sitting in a chair; rotationalacceleration and corresponding change in orientation, such as thatproduced by a cartwheel; linear acceleration, such as that produced bydriving a vehicle; or free locomotion, i.e. freely moving around avirtual environment of arbitrary size without the requirement forcorresponding locomotion in a physical environment.

FIG. 14 shows a preferred embodiment 1400 of a motion simulator 143(FIG. 1) comprising an actuated platform having at least three degreesof rotational freedom. A base 1401 is coupled to an outer pivotedsupport 1402 via an actuated revolute articulation (not shown)configured to produce a rotation about axis 1422. Outer pivoted support1402 is in turn coupled to an inner pivoted support 1404 via a secondactuated revolute articulation 1408 configured to produce a rotationabout axis 1424. Pivoted supports 1402 and 1404 are preferably composedin whole or in part of a rigid structural material. A point-of-useportion of an exoskeleton, and a housing 1403 are preferably coupled toinner pivoted support 1404 via a third actuated revolute articulation(not shown) configured to produce a rotation about axis 1426. Said thirdactuated revolute articulation is preferably contained within housing1403.

The three aforementioned articulations are each actuated by an actuatorassembly 1410 preferably comprising an electromechanical actuator 1412(e.g. a brushed or brushless DC motor, or an AC induction or synchronousmotor) preferably coupled to a right-angle speed reduction mechanism1414. Actuator 1412 can also be of any of the other types describedhereinabove (in the “Locomotor System” section), or of another suitabletype. Speed reduction mechanism 1414 preferably comprises a gearbox,such as a strain wave, planetary, or spur gearbox. Actuator assembly1410 preferably also comprises a potentiometer, encoder, or othergoniometer. Actuator assembly 1410 optionally comprises a braking systemto reduce steady-state power consumption, said braking system being ofthe type of any of the resistive mechanisms described hereinabove (inthe “Locomotor System” section), or of another suitable type. Motionsimulator 1400 preferably comprises at least one additional degree offreedom (not shown) that can be actuated so as to position apoint-of-use portion 701 of an exoskeleton at an appropriate height tocouple to one or more body-borne portions 703 (FIG. 7) worn by people ofdiffering heights.

In one embodiment, a human-computer interface terminal 102 (FIG. 1)comprises a supplementary support surface 1416 configured to supportsome or all of the weight of a user 106. Supplementary support surface1416 is preferably coupled to outer pivoted support 1402 of motionsimulator 1400, but can also be coupled to inner pivoted support 1404 orto elongated structural member 602 in various contemplated embodiments.In one embodiment, supplementary support surface 1416 comprises an upperface configured to allow the feet of a user 106 to slide along said facewith a minimum of friction. Friction is reduced, for example, by meansof: a friction-reducing material; or a plurality of rolling elements,such as ball bearings. As discussed hereinabove, one or morefriction-reducing elements for use with a supplementary support surface1416 are optionally included in a foot segment 512 of an exoskeleton. Ina second embodiment, a supplementary support surface comprises anactuated degree of freedom. In one variation, said actuated degree offreedom is configured to move a supplementary support surface 1416 or aportion thereof along axis 1422. This motion can be employed to, forexample, more easily accommodate users 106 of differing heights, or toimprove the fidelity of simulations of motions of user 106 involving atranslation of the user's center of gravity along axis 1422 (such assitting, crouching, climbing stairs, or walking on a slope). In a secondvariation, said actuated degree of freedom is configured to move asupplementary support surface 1416 or a portion thereof along axis 1424or 1426 (e.g. in the manner of a treadmill). This motion can beemployed, for example, to improve the fidelity of simulations of motionsof user 106 involving a translation of the user's center of gravityalong axis 1424 or 1426 (such as walking or running). In somecontemplated embodiments, supplementary support surface 1416 is coupledto one or more articulations of a motion simulator. Thus, one or more ofthe aforementioned axes 1422-1426 of supplementary support surface 1416can variously remain fixed relative to either the reference frame ofmechanical ground or the reference frame of the user.

In some embodiments, a motion simulator 1400 comprises one or moreadditional actuated articulations. In a first embodiment, motionsimulator 1400 comprises one or more actuated articulations configuredto apply a linear acceleration to the body of a user 106. In a secondembodiment, a motion simulator comprises one or more actuatedarticulations coupled to an inner pivoted support 1404 and anexoskeleton. Said actuated articulations are preferably arranged to forma parallel manipulator comprising at least 3 rotational degrees offreedom configured to affect the orientation or acceleration of the bodyof a user 106. Said actuated articulations are employed, in accordancewith one embodiment, to increase the responsiveness of motion simulator1400 to rapid rotations or translations of a user's body.

When a human-computer interface terminal 102 (FIG. 1) comprising amotion simulator 1400 is in use, a user 106 is preferably positionedvertically such that they are suspended above the ground. User 106 isalso preferably positioned such that the user's center of gravity (withlegs and arms fully extended straight up and down) is approximatelyaligned with the mid-point of one or more axes of rotation of motionsimulator 1400. The diameter of the inner pivoted support 1404 ispreferably sized such that a user 106 is unable to make contact with itwhen suspended in this manner regardless of body position. In apreferred embodiment, the diameter of pivoted support 1404 is between2.5 and 3.0 m.

An exoskeleton, a user 106, a housing 1403 and its contents, or othermasses coupled to a motion simulator 1400 can produce a substantialtorque on actuated articulations of said motion simulator when actedupon by gravity. In order to minimize this undesirable torque, saidmasses are preferably arranged to balance each other about the axis ofrotation of one or more of the articulations of a motion simulator 1400.In one variation, one or more counterweights are also employed to aid inbalancing masses acting on said articulations. In one alternateembodiment, a motion simulator 1400 is supplemented or replaced by aserial manipulator configured to affect the orientation or accelerationof the body of a user 106.

Interface Laminate

Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the present invention, ahuman-computer interface terminal 102 comprises an interface laminate.Said interface laminate preferably comprises: a plurality of tactileactuators 140 each coupled to a force sensor 133; and a plurality ofthermal actuators 142, each coupled to a temperature sensor 134. Aninterface laminate optionally also comprises one or more biosignalsensors 135. FIG. 16 generally depicts one embodiment of an interfacelaminate 1600. A tactile actuator laminate 1620, comprising a fluidictactile actuator 1800, is coupled to a thermal actuator laminate 1630. Afirst fluidic distribution laminate 1610 supplies a pressurized workingfluid to tactile actuator laminate 1620. A second fluidic distributionlaminate 1615 supplies a pressurized working fluid to thermal actuatorlaminate 1630. Interface laminate 1600 is preferably positionedsubstantially parallel to the skin surface of a user. An inner surfaceof interface laminate 1600 is configured to transmit forces and heatbetween interface laminate 1600 and the user's skin.

Tactile Actuator Laminate

FIGS. 18A-19 show a tactile actuator laminate 1620 in accordance withvarious embodiments. Tactile actuator laminate 1620 comprises aplurality of tactile actuators 140 (FIG. 1) arranged in a thin, flexiblelayer. In a preferred embodiment, a tactile actuator 140 (FIG. 1) of atactile actuator laminate 1620 comprises a fluidic tactile actuator1800. FIG. 18B shows a cross-section of two fluidic tactile actuators1800 in accordance with one embodiment. A fluidic tactile actuator 1800comprises an elastic membrane 1808 bonded to a substrate 1803 to form achamber 1806. A pressurized working fluid enters chamber 1806 through asupply orifice 1802, preferably located in the base of substrate 1803,and exits through an exhaust orifice 1804. Elastic membrane 1808 can becontrollably actuated by regulating the volume or pressure of workingfluid flowing into and out of chamber 1806.

In one embodiment of a fluidic tactile actuator 1800, shown in FIG. 19,two or more chambers 1806, 1906 are combined in order to increase theachievable displacement of said fluidic tactile actuator 1800. In theembodiment of FIG. 19, a second chamber 1906 comprises a second elasticmembrane 1908 whose outside edge is bonded to a second substrate 1903.Substrate 1903 is bonded to the top of elastic membrane 1808 by means ofa bonding surface 1909. An orifice 1902 couples the enclosed volume ofchamber 1906 to the enclosed volume of chamber 1806. Additional chambersbeyond a second chamber 1906 are optionally added to fluidic tactileactuator 1800 in the manner described hereinabove to further increasethe achievable displacement of the actuator.

FIG. 18A shows a bottom view of a tactile actuator laminate 1620comprising four fluidic tactile actuators 1800, in accordance with oneembodiment. Shown is a substrate 1803 (FIG. 18B) bonded to an elasticmembrane 1808 (rendered as semi-transparent in FIG. 18A for clarity)overlying four pairs of supply orifices 1802 and exhaust orifices 1804.Fluidic tactile actuators 1800 of a tactile actuator laminate 1620 arepreferably positioned such that the distance 1812 from the center 1810of one actuator to the center 1810 of another actuator is less than orequal to the two-point discrimination threshold of a user at the pointon the user's skin surface opposite said fluidic tactile actuators 1800.Fluidic tactile actuators 1800 of a tactile actuator laminate 1620 arepreferably sized such that they occupy a majority of the surface area ofthe inner surface of a tactile actuator laminate, as shown in FIG. 18Ain accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 18C shows an exploded view of the cross section of FIG. 18B inaccordance with one embodiment. Substrate 1803 is preferably composed ofa flexible substrate material. Elastic membrane 1808 is bonded tosubstrate 1803 via bonding surface 1809 to form enclosed, substantiallyairtight chambers 1806, 1816. Elastic membrane 1808 preferably comprisespolydimethylsiloxane or another elastomer, including natural orsynthetic rubbers. In an alternate embodiment, substrate 1803 iscomposed from a first and second layer of a flexible substrate material.In this alternate embodiment, lip 1817 of chamber 1806 is formed from ahole cut in a first layer of flexible substrate material. Said firstlayer is bonded to the inner surface of a second layer of flexiblesubstrate material to form a chamber 1806.

Contemplated means of bonding a first layer of an interface laminate toa second layer of an interface laminate to form a laminate structure (asin a tactile actuator laminate) include: plasma-activated bonding,welding, anodic bonding, or other treatments that alter the surfacechemistry of one or more of said layers; adhesive bonding (including viathermoset or thermoplastic adhesives), eutectic bonding, glass fritbonding, or other means of joining said layers by means of anintermediate layer of material; combinations of two or more of theabove.

Referring now to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment, tactile actuators140 remain in constant contact with a user's skin, and are configured tomaintain a nominal contact pressure in the absence of a commandedpressure, force, or vibration. In a preferred variation, said nominalcontact pressure is between 0.10 and 5.0 kPa. In a more preferredvariation, said nominal contact pressure is between 0.50 and 2.5 kPa. Inan even more preferred embodiment, said nominal contact pressure isbetween 1.0 and 2.0 Pa. This nominal contact pressure is preferablyemployed to assist in cloaking any anomalous contact forces resultingfrom the intrinsic dynamics or operation of an interface laminate orother structures to which it is coupled.

The maximum pressure produced on a user's skin by a given tactileactuator 140 preferably does not exceed the pressure-pain threshold of auser at the point on the user's skin surface opposite said tactileactuator 140. Pressure produced on a user's skin by a plurality oftactile actuators 140 for a period of time greater than c.a. 5 secpreferably does not exceed approximately 8 kPa to avoid impeding theuser's blood flow, particularly where said tactile actuators 140substantially encircle an extremity of the user. In an alternateembodiment, tactile actuators 140 maintain a nominal “air gap” distancefrom user's skin surface, said distance preferably being in the range ofapproximately 0.5-3 mm.

Thermal Actuator Laminate

FIGS. 20A-C show a thermal actuator laminate 1630 in accordance with oneembodiment. Thermal actuator laminate 1630 comprises a plurality ofthermal actuators 142 (FIG. 1) arranged in a thin, flexible layer. In apreferred embodiment, a thermal actuator 142 (FIG. 1) of a thermalactuator laminate 1630 comprises a fluidic thermal actuator 2000. FIG.20A shows a bottom view of a thermal actuator laminate 1630 comprising asingle fluidic thermal actuator 2000, in accordance with one embodiment.Shown is a substrate 2003 (FIG. 20B) bonded to a thermally-conductivemembrane 2008 (rendered as semi-transparent in FIG. 20A for clarity)overlying supply orifices 2001, 2002 and exhaust orifices 2004, 2005.

FIG. 20B shows a cross-section of a fluidic thermal actuator 2000 inaccordance with one embodiment. A fluidic thermal actuator 2000comprises a thermally-conductive membrane 2008 bonded to a substrate2003 to form a chamber 2006. A pressurized working fluid enters chamber2006 through supply orifices 2001, 2002, and exits through exhaustorifices 2004, 2005 (FIG. 20A). Supply orifices 2001, 2002 and exhaustorifices 2004, 2005 are preferably located in the base of substrate2003. Substrate 2003 comprises a plurality of projections 2010.Projections 2010 prevent chamber 2006 from collapsing under pressureexerted e.g. by a user or tactile actuator 140 (FIG. 1). Projections2010 also preferably are shaped and positioned so as to encouragechaotic flow of working fluid inside chamber 2006 in order to increaseheat transfer between said fluid and the skin of a user. Heat fluxthrough thermally-conductive membrane 2008 can be controllably varied byregulating the temperature or amount of working fluid flowing into andout of chamber 2006. In an alternate embodiment, a chamber 2006 of afluidic thermal actuator 2000 is formed from one or more enclosedchannels (e.g. channels of the type of a fluidic distribution laminateof FIGS. 21A-23B).

FIG. 20C shows an exploded view of the cross section of FIG. 20B inaccordance with one embodiment. Substrate 2003 is preferably composed ofa flexible substrate material. Substrate 2003 is preferably configuredto permit low heat flux relative to thermally-conductive membrane 2008(e.g. via low thermal conductivity or increased thickness).Thermally-conductive membrane 2008 is bonded to projections 2010 ofsubstrate 2003 via a bonding surface 2015. The edges ofthermally-conductive membrane 2008 are bonded to substrate 2003 via abonding surface 2017 to form an enclosed, substantially airtight chamber2006. Thermally-conductive membrane 2008 comprises a flexible, andpreferably elastic, material configured to permit high heat flux (e.g.via high thermal conductivity or low thickness). Such contemplatedmaterials include: polydimethylsiloxane film or other elastomer films;polyethylene terephthalate film or other polymer films; aluminum foil orother metal foils; metal-filled polymers or other metal-polymercomposites; metal-filled elastomers or other metal-elastomer composites;ceramic-polymer composites or ceramic-elastomer composites;carbon-filled polymers or other carbon-polymer composites; carbon-filledelastomers or other carbon-elastomer composites; watertight fabrics,including metalized fabrics; or combinations of one or more of theabove. Heat flux through thermally-conductive membrane 2008 ispreferably sufficient to substantially maintain a commanded temperatureof thermally-conductive membrane 2008 when in contact with the skin ofthe user, where said commanded temperature is preferably in the range ofc.a. 0 to 49° C.

A thermal actuator laminate 1630 is preferably coupled to the innersurface of a tactile actuator laminate 1620 (FIG. 18A) via a bondingsurface 1815 (FIG. 18B) of an elastic membrane 1808 (FIG. 18B) of afluidic tactile actuator 1800 (FIG. 18B). Coupling of thermal actuatorlaminate 1630 to tactile actuator laminate 1620 (FIG. 18A) preferablyonly occurs at a minority of fluidic tactile actuators 1800 (FIG. 18B)in order to minimize undesirable lateral forces. In one example, athermal actuator laminate 1630 is bonded to a tactile actuator laminate1620 (FIG. 18A) at each tenth fluidic tactile actuator 1800 (FIG. 18B)in an evenly spaced grid. Said undesirable lateral forces may be createdby the disparate motion of adjacent fluidic tactile actuators 1800 whenthe fluidic tactile actuators 1800 are coupled to the outer surface of athermal actuator laminate 1630.

Fluidic Distribution System

FIGS. 21A-23B show a fluidic distribution system in accordance withvarious embodiments. A fluidic distribution system comprises a pluralityof channels 2102 that supply a working fluid to a fluidic tactileactuator 1800 (FIG. 18A) of a tactile actuator laminate or to a fluidicthermal actuator 2000 (FIG. 20A) of a thermal actuator laminate. In apreferred embodiment, a fluidic distribution system comprises a fluidicdistribution laminate 1610. FIG. 21A shows a bottom view of a fluidicdistribution laminate 1610 suitable for use with the tactile actuatorlaminate 1620 of the embodiment of FIG. 18A. Shown in FIG. 21A is asubstrate 2103 (FIG. 21B), comprising a plurality of channels 2102,bonded to substrate 1803 (FIG. 18B) of a tactile actuator laminate.Tactile actuator laminate substrate 1803 is rendered as semi-transparentin FIG. 21A for clarity. A fluidic distribution laminate suitable foruse with a thermal actuator laminate is anticipated to be substantiallysimilar to fluidic distribution laminate 1610, differing only, forexample, in channel size, orifice size, or orifice placement.

FIG. 21B shows a cross-section of a fluidic distribution laminate 1610in accordance with one embodiment. Bonding of tactile actuator laminatesubstrate 1803 to the inner surface of channels 2102 of a fluidicdistribution laminate creates a path for working fluid to flow into afluidic tactile actuator 1800 (FIG. 18B)—via channel 2107 and supplyorifice 1802—and out of a fluidic tactile actuator 1800—via channel 2104and exhaust orifice 1804.

FIG. 21C shows an exploded view of the cross section of FIG. 21B inaccordance with one embodiment. Substrate 2103 is preferably composed ofa flexible substrate material. Tactile actuator laminate substrate 1803is bonded to substrate 2103 via bonding surface 2109 to form enclosed,substantially airtight channels 2102. In an alternate embodiment,substrate 2103 is composed from a first and second layer of a flexiblesubstrate material. In this alternate embodiment, lip 2106 of channel2102 is formed from a hole cut in a first layer of flexible substratematerial. Said first layer is bonded to the inner surface of a secondlayer of flexible substrate material to create a channel 2102. In oneembodiment of a fluidic distribution laminate, shown in FIG. 22, two ormore channels 2102, 2202 are layered to increase working fluid capacityof a fluidic distribution laminate. Substrate 2103 is bonded to theinner surface of 2203 to create enclosed, substantially airtightchannels 2202.

FIG. 23A shows a top view of a fluidic distribution laminate inaccordance with one embodiment, illustrating a routing of a plurality ofchannels from a fluidic connector 2350 to a plurality of supply/exhaustorifices 1802, 1804. Tactile actuator laminate substrate 1803 isrendered as semi-transparent in FIG. 23A for clarity. A group 2302 ofchannels supplies working fluid to a zone 2304 of a tactile actuatorlaminate or thermal actuator laminate. Multiple zones 2304 are combinedto form a segment 2300. Each segment 2300 preferably comprises a ribbonassembly 2306, comprising one or more layers of channels. Ribbonassembly 2306 preferably terminates in a fluidic connector 2350. Ribbonassembly 2306 is anticipated in most cases to have a lengthsubstantially exceeding the length of the remainder of segment 2300, asindicated by symbol 2308.

FIG. 23B shows a cross-section of a ribbon assembly 2306 and fluidicconnector 2350 of a fluidic distribution laminate in accordance with oneembodiment. A housing 2352, preferably composed in whole or part of arigid structural material, encloses the base and sides of ribbonassembly 2306. Housing 2352 is coupled to a gasket 2354 located on theupper surface of said housing. A first channel 2102 (FIG. 23A), locatedin an upper layer of a fluidic distribution laminate, terminates in anorifice 2310. A second channel 2202, located in a middle layer of afluidic distribution laminate, terminates in an orifice 2312. A thirdchannel 2206, located in a lower layer of a fluidic distributionlaminate, terminates in an orifice 2314 (FIG. 23A). Fluidic connectorsare coupled by bringing gasket 2354 faces of two said connectors intocontact and applying sufficient force (by means of, e.g. a mechanicalcoupling of a temporary coupling point of an exoskeleton) to sealorifices 2310-2314 against matching orifices on another fluidicconnector. The stiff material of housings 2352 of said connectors ensurethat their channels are not crushed by the application of a couplingforce to the two fluidic connectors.

In a preferred embodiment, working fluid carried by a fluidicdistribution laminate 1610 (FIG. 16) has a maximum gauge pressurebetween 0.050 and 1.0 MPa. In a more preferred embodiment, working fluidcarried by a fluidic distribution laminate 1610 has a maximum gaugepressure between 0.10 and 0.75 MPa. In an even more preferredembodiment, working fluid carried by a fluidic distribution laminate1610 has a maximum gauge pressure between 0.20 and 0.50 MPa.

In a first alternate embodiment, one or more portions of a channel 2102(FIG. 21A) of a fluidic distribution system are replaced by a tube,pipe, or other elongated, enclosed element. In a second alternateembodiment, referring now to FIG. 17, a fluidic distribution systemcomprises a high-pressure portion (configured to carry a working fluidhaving a maximum gauge pressure c.a. greater than or equal to 5 MPa),and a low-pressure portion (configured to carry a working fluid having amaximum gauge pressure c.a. less than or equal to 1 MPa). Thehigh-pressure portion comprises one or more high-pressure fluid lines1702 coupled to the low-pressure portion by means of a pressureregulator 1704. Referring still to FIG. 17, in a third alternateembodiment, a fluidic distribution system comprises a chamber 1705coupled to a plurality of tactile or thermal elements. In a preferredvariation, said fluid reservoir comprises two thin layers of flexiblematerial joined by a plurality of projections 1708 in the manner of athermal actuator laminate 1630, as described hereinabove.

A channel 2102 (FIG. 21A) of a fluidic distribution system coupled to afluidic tactile actuator 1800 (FIG. 18A) is preferably configured suchthat the transit time through said channel 2102 (FIG. 21A) of a unit ofworking fluid sufficient to substantially fill the volume of the coupledfluidic tactile actuator 1800 (FIG. 18A) at the maximum operatingpressure of said fluidic tactile actuator 1800 (FIG. 18A) is less than0.25 sec. More preferably, said transit time is less than 0.10 sec. Evenmore preferably, said transit time is less than 0.050 sec. A channel2102 (FIG. 21A) of a fluidic distribution system coupled to a fluidicthermal actuator 2000 (FIG. 20B) is preferably configured such that thetransit time through said channel 2102 (FIG. 21A) of a unit of workingfluid sufficient to substantially fill the volume of the coupled fluidicthermal actuator 2000 (FIG. 20B) at the maximum operating pressure ofsaid fluidic thermal actuator 2000 (FIG. 20B) is less than 0.50 sec.More preferably, said transit time is less than 0.20 sec.

Sensing and Actuation

FIG. 24 generally depicts a block diagram of sensors and actuators of aninterface laminate in accordance with one embodiment. A pressurized gassupply 2402 is coupled to a fluidic tactile actuator 1800. The workingfluid supplied to fluidic tactile actuator 1800 by pressurized gassupply 2402 is preferably air. In one embodiment, the working fluidcomprises carbon dioxide, or another gas which liquefies at or near roomtemperature under a pressure of less than c.a. 20 MPa. In anotherembodiment, the working fluid comprises helium in order to increase flowrate or flow speed. Pressurized gas supply 2402 includes compression,filtration, lubrication, pressure regulation, or any other standardpneumatic equipment necessary for suitable operation with sensors andactuators to which the pressurized gas supply 2402 is coupled.

Pressurized gas supply 2402 is coupled to pressure limiter 2404.Pressure limiter 2404 can be a relief valve, burst disc, or othersuitable over-pressure prevention device. Pressure limiter 2404 iscoupled to control valve 2406. Control valve 2406 comprises any suitableactuator including electromechanical, fluidic, or solid-state actuators.Embodiments are contemplated wherein: a control valve 2406 is locatedadjacent to a fluidic tactile actuator 1800 (as in FIG. 17); a controlvalve 2406 is located on the body of a user, but not adjacent to afluidic tactile actuator 1800; or, in a preferred embodiment, a controlvalve 2406 is located off of the body of a user.

In a first embodiment, a control valve 2406 comprises anelectromechanical actuator, such as a solenoid, a brushed or brushlessDC motor, an AC induction or synchronous motor, or a voice coilactuator. In a second embodiment, a control valve 2406 comprises acontractile material.

In one embodiment of a control valve 2406 having a solid-state actuator,control valve 2406 is actuated by the thermal expansion or contractionof a solid-state material. Referring now to FIG. 17, a control valve2406 of the aforementioned type is shown in accordance with oneembodiment. A thin, hollow shell 1724—composed of a material with hightensile strength and high thermal conductivity (e.g. aluminum, copper oranother metal; metal-filed epoxy or another metal-polymer composite; aceramic-polymer composite; a carbon-filled polymer or othercarbon-polymer composite; any rigid structural material not mentionedabove; or combinations of two or more of the above)—is filled with aworking material 1726. Said working material is preferably an elastomerwith a low bulk modulus, a high coefficient of volumetric thermalexpansion, a low heat capacity, and a wide range of solid-phasetemperatures in which the material remains stable (e.g.polydimethylsiloxane). The filled shell assembly is sandwiched between aheating element 1730 and a heat sink 1740.

In one variation, a heat sink 1740 comprises a chamber 1725, formed bythe top surface of shell 1724 and bottom surface of a substrate 1706separated by projections 1716 in the manner of a thermal actuatorlaminate 1630, as described hereinabove. A coolant fluid is circulatedthrough chamber 1725. In a second variation, a heat sink 1740 comprisesa thermoelectric element or other electrical refrigeration element. Aheating element 1730 is preferred to comprise a resistive heater,thermoelectric element, or other electrical heating element. In a thirdvariation, a heating element 1730 comprises a heated fluid circulated inthe manner of the coolant fluid as described hereinabove.

The temperature of filled shell assembly 1724, 1726 is controllablymodulated by the action of heating element 1730, causing the workingmaterial 1726 to expand. A small orifice is located on one of the faces1728 of the assembly, such that the working material 1726 is forcedthrough the orifice when expanded. The large difference in volume of themain body of the working material 1726 and the volume of the workingmaterial allowed through the orifice produces a solid-state analog ofhydraulic displacement amplification, creating a useful displacement ofthe working material 1726 through the orifice from a relatively smallbulk expansion of the working material 1726. Thus, by regulating thebulk temperature of the filled shell assembly 1724, 1726 a controllableand repeatable displacement of arbitrary precision, appropriate for thecontrol of fluid flow, is obtained. In a preferred variation, saidactuation is utilized to regulate the diameter of a flexible via 1732,which in turn regulates the flow of a working fluid through an orifice1802 coupled to the via.

In an alternate embodiment of a control valve 2406 actuated by thethermal expansion or contraction of a solid-state material, expansion ofworking material 1726 fills a void in said working material 1726, ratherthan expanding through an orifice. In one example, a filled shellassembly comprises a flow path comprising a first and second orificecoupled to a void in working material 1726. Expansion of workingmaterial 1726 seals said void, preventing working fluid from flowingthrough the flow path. Contraction of working material 1726 reopens saidvoid, allowing working fluid to flow through the flow path.

In a preferred embodiment, a control valve 2406 of a thermal-expansiontype has a maximum operating frequency of at least 5.0 Hz. In a morepreferred embodiment, a control valve 2406 of a thermal-expansion typehas a maximum operating frequency of at least 10 Hz. In an even morepreferred embodiment, a control valve 2406 of a thermal-expansion typehas a maximum operating frequency of at least 20 Hz.

In one embodiment, a control valve 2406 comprises a liquid that changesvolume, phase, viscosity, or other properties when exposed to varyingtemperatures, electric currents, magnetic fields, or other stimuli. Inone variation of this embodiment, a control valve 2406 comprises aworking fluid that undergoes a phase change to a gaseous state. In oneexample, a thin-film resistive heating element is embedded in a chambercontaining a small volume of liquid working fluid covered by a flexiblemembrane. A short (c.a. <10 microsecond) electric pulse is applied tothe resistive heating element, said pulse having a power sufficient toflash vaporize a small amount of the actuator's working fluid. Theexpansion of the vaporized fluid creates a brief displacement of themembrane before the vapor bubble collapses as the system rapidly returnsto thermal equilibrium. Precise control is achieved over the motion ofthe membrane by controlling the total amount of heat energy deposited inthe working fluid by the heating element and the timing of the electricpulses. The motion of the membrane is in turn used to actuate e.g. aflexible via 1732 as described hereinabove.

Referring again to FIG. 24, in one embodiment, a control valve 2406 isconfigured in a “3/2” arrangement, having a first port coupled to afluidic tactile actuator 1800. Said first port is variably coupled to asecond port (coupled to pressurized gas supply 2402), or to a third port(coupled to exhaust 2408). In another embodiment, a control valve 2406comprises two “2/2” valves: one having a first port coupled to a fluidictactile actuator 1800 and a second port coupled to pressurized gassupply 2402; the second having a first port coupled to a fluidic tactileactuator 1800 and a second port coupled to exhaust 2408. In the casethat the fluidic tactile actuator 1800 uses air as a working fluid,exhaust 2408 preferably discharges to atmosphere. In the case thatfluidic tactile actuator 1800 uses another working fluid, exhaust 2408preferably discharges to an inlet of pressurized gas supply 2402 to forma closed-loop system.

In one embodiment, a control valve 2406 comprises a piloted element(where a working fluid controlled by a first valve is used to actuate asecond valve) in order to increase e.g. the maximum flow rate oroperating pressure of the control valve 2406. In a variation of thisembodiment, intermittent actuation of a first valve regulates acontinuous flow of a working fluid through a second valve by means of apiloted element.

In a preferred embodiment, a force or pressure sensor 2410 is coupled tothe internal volume of a fluidic tactile actuator 1800. Force orpressure sensor 2410 is preferably located off of the body of the user.In another embodiment, a force or pressure sensor 2416 is coupled to anexterior portion of a fluidic tactile actuator 1800. FIG. 17 shows athin-film force sensor 1742, mounted on a flex circuit 1738, coupled tothe outer surface of a fluidic tactile actuator 1800 in accordance withthis embodiment. Referring again to FIG. 24, in various embodiments,force or pressure sensors 2410, 2416 comprise one or more of thefollowing: a strain gauge (such as a foil, semiconductor, thin film, orwire strain gauge), piezoelectric sensor (such as a piezoelectriccrystal or piezoelectric film sensor), or other type of sensor (such asa linear variable differential transformer, capacitive displacementsensor, optical sensor, magneto-elastic device, or vibrating elementforce transducer). In some embodiments, the force or pressure to bemeasured acts on one or more intermediate elements, rather than directlyacting on the aforementioned sensors. For example, a linear variabledifferential transformer is used to measure the displacement of a spring(with a known spring constant) under load in order to approximate theforce acting on the spring.

In one embodiment, a fluidic tactile actuator 1800 is coupled to anon-fluidic tactile actuator 2414. In a preferred variation, a fluidictactile actuator 1800 produces low-frequency, spatially localizedstimuli sufficient to stimulate the Merkel-type (SA1) or Meissner-type(RA1) mechanoreceptors of a user's skin and a non-fluidic tactileactuator 2414 produces high-frequency, spatially diffuse stimulisufficient to stimulate the Ruffini-type (SA2) or Pacinian-type (RA2)mechanoreceptors of a user's skin. A non-fluidic tactile actuator 2414comprises any suitable actuator, including electromechanical orsolid-state actuators. In one variation, a non-fluidic tactile actuator2414 comprises an eccentric rotating mass, linear resonant actuator orother vibration motor. In another variation, a non-fluidic tactileactuator 2414 comprises a solid-state actuator, such as: a piezoceramicbimorph actuator or other piezoelectric actuator, or an electroactivepolymer actuator.

In another embodiment, a fluidic tactile actuator 1800 is coupled to acontrol valve 2406 comprising a first and second valve. In a preferredvariation of this embodiment, a first valve produces low-frequency,spatially localized stimuli sufficient to stimulate the Merkel-type(SA1) or Meissner-type (RA1) mechanoreceptors of a user's skin and asecond valve produces high-frequency, spatially diffuse stimulisufficient to stimulate the Ruffini-type (SA2) or Pacinian-type (RA2)mechanoreceptors of a user's skin.

In one embodiment, a fluidic actuator 308, 310 (FIG. 3) of a locomotorsystem of an exoskeleton is coupled to a pressurized gas supply 2402 ora pressurized liquid supply 2418 by means of a control valve 2406.

A pressurized liquid supply 2418 is coupled to a fluidic thermalactuator 2000. The working fluid supplied to fluidic thermal actuator2000 by pressurized liquid supply 2418 is preferably water. Othercoolant fluids are contemplated as an element comprising a working fluidfor fluidic thermal actuator, such as: propylene glycol, ethyleneglycol, and other glycols; or mineral oils, silicone oils, and otheroils. Pressurized liquid supply 2418 includes pumping, filtration,pressure regulation, or any other standard hydraulic equipment necessaryfor suitable operation with sensors and actuators to which thepressurized liquid supply 2418 is coupled.

Pressurized liquid supply 2418 is coupled to a heating device 2420, andto a refrigeration device 2422. Heating and refrigeration devices 2420and 2422 comprise, for example: a thermoelectric element, resistiveheater, or other electric heat pump; or vapor-compression heat pump. Inone embodiment, heating device 2420 and refrigeration device 2422 arecoupled such that heat is transferred from a first “cold” portion of apressurized liquid supply 2418 to a second “hot” portion of apressurized liquid supply 2418. Heated and refrigerated portions of theworking fluid of a fluidic thermal actuator are preferably each storedin a separate reservoir, along with a third ambient temperature fluidreservoir.

The maximum temperature of working fluid supplied to a fluidic thermalactuator 2000 by pressurized liquid supply 2418 preferably is notgreater than a temperature sufficient to burn a user's skin over severalminutes of constant exposure (c.a. 49° C.). The minimum temperature ofworking fluid supplied to a fluidic thermal actuator 2000 by pressurizedliquid supply 2418 preferably is not less than a temperature sufficientto cause frostbite over several minutes of constant exposure (c.a. 0°C.).

Heating device 2420 and refrigeration device 2422 are preferably bothcoupled to mixing valve 2424. Mixing valve 2424 comprises a controlvalve 2406 configured to mix together two or more streams of liquid.Embodiments are contemplated wherein: a mixing valve 2424 is locatedadjacent to a fluidic thermal actuator 2000; a mixing valve 2424 islocated on the body of a user, but not adjacent to a fluidic thermalactuator 2000; or, in a preferred embodiment, a mixing valve 2424 islocated off of the body of a user.

In a preferred embodiment, a mixing valve 2424 outputs: an ambienttemperature working fluid, a heated working fluid, a refrigeratedworking fluid, a mixture of an ambient temperature and heated workingfluid, or a mixture of an ambient temperature and refrigerated workingfluid. In one variation, a mixing valve 2424 outputs a mixture of aheated working fluid and refrigerated working fluid, though this is notpreferred due to decreased energy efficiency when producing intermediatetemperatures. In one embodiment, a mixing valve 2424 is configured toregulate the volume of working fluid flowing to fluidic thermal actuator2000 in order to e.g. regulate heat flux at said fluidic thermalactuator or reduce consumption of working fluid. In a preferredembodiment, a mixing valve 2424 comprises three “2/2” valves: one havinga first port coupled to a fluidic thermal actuator 2000 and a secondport coupled to an ambient temperature working fluid reservoir; thesecond having a first port coupled to a fluidic thermal actuator 2000and a second port coupled to a heated working fluid reservoir; and thethird having a first port coupled to a fluidic thermal actuator 2000 anda second port coupled to a refrigerated working fluid reservoir.

In a preferred embodiment, a temperature or heat flux sensor 2426 iscoupled to the internal volume of a fluidic thermal actuator 2000.Temperature or heat flux sensor 2426 is preferably located off of thebody of the user. In another embodiment, a temperature or heat fluxsensor 2430 is coupled to an exterior portion of a fluidic thermalactuator 2000. FIG. 17 shows a thin film temperature sensor 1748,mounted on a flex circuit 1750, coupled to the outer surface of afluidic thermal actuator 2000 in accordance with this embodiment.Referring again to FIG. 24, in various embodiments, a temperature orheat flux sensor 2426, 2430 comprises: a thermocouple, a resistivetemperature device, an infrared sensor, a bimetallic temperature sensor,a thermometer, or a silicon diode.

In one embodiment, a fluidic thermal actuator 2000 is coupled to anon-fluidic thermal actuator 2432. In a preferred variation, anon-fluidic thermal actuator 2432 heats the skin of a user, and afluidic thermal actuator 2000 cools the skin of a user. A non-fluidicthermal actuator 2432 comprises, for example: a resistive heater, athermoelectric element, or other electrical heating or cooling element.

Selector Valve

An interface laminate is anticipated, in most embodiments, to comprise alarge number of tactile actuators 140 (FIG. 1) or thermal actuators 142(FIG. 1). FIG. 25 shows, in accordance with one embodiment, a means ofreducing the number of valves or sensors required to operate thesetactile and thermal actuators by the addition of one or more selectorvalves 2502-2504. A selector valve 2502-2504 comprises a flow selectionelement configured to couple an inlet port to a plurality of outletports in sequence. FIGS. 26A-D show a selector valve in accordance withone embodiment, comprising: a base plate assembly 2650, having an inletchannel 2622 and a plurality of outlet channels 2616-2621; a controlplate assembly 2670 whose rotation is coupled to a rotary actuator 2602having a keyed shaft (not shown) by a projection 2605; and a bracket2619, which couples base plate assembly 2650 to rotary actuator 2602.Compression spring 2606 presses control plate assembly 2670 into baseplate assembly 2650 with a force sufficient to cause flange 2610 to sealoff one or more outlet channels 2616-2621. Flange 2610 of control plateassembly 2600 comprises a depression 2611, preferably having filletededges 2612. Depression 2611 has a depth sufficient to enablesubstantially unrestricted flow through a channel 2618 located withinsaid depression while flange 2610 seals off other outlet channels 2616,2620, 2621. Rotation of rotary actuator 2602 changes the angularposition of depression 2611, thus changing which outlet channels2616-2621 permit flow. Rotary actuator 2602 preferably comprises anelectromechanical actuator (e.g. a brushed or brushless DC motor, or anAC induction or synchronous motor) coupled to a potentiometer, encoder,or other goniometer. Rotary actuator 2602 alternately comprises anyother suitable actuator described hereinabove for use with a controlvalve.

FIG. 26D shows a bottom view of a base plate assembly 2650 of a selectorvalve in accordance with one embodiment. Base plate assembly 2650comprises a fluidic distribution laminate 2624 having a plurality ofoutlet channels 2616-2621 coupled to an inlet channel 2622. Fluidicdistribution laminate 2624 is coupled to a support member 2614 (FIG.26B) composed of a stiff material. Fluidic distribution laminate 2624 ispreferably composed of a flexible substrate material. Fluidicdistribution laminate 2624 is preferably coupled to a liner 2652comprising a flexible material having a high strength and robustness,such as: polyethylene terephthalate film or other polymer films, ornylon or other textiles. The top surface of liner 2652 is optionallycoated with a friction-reducing material.

FIG. 26C shows a top view of a control plate assembly 2670 of a selectorvalve in accordance with one embodiment. Support member 2608 is coupledto flange 2610 and to axle 2604 (FIG. 26A) of rotary actuator 2602 (FIG.26A) via projection 2605. Depression 2611 is formed by a discontinuityin flange 2610. Edges 2612 (FIG. 26B) of flange 2610 are filleted toreduce wear on outlet channels 2616-2621 (FIG. 26D).

Referring again to FIG. 25, a first method of controlling a fluidictactile actuator via a selector valve comprises coupling a first fluidictactile actuator 1800 and a second through nth fluidic actuator2514-2516 sequentially to a control valve 2406 by means of a selectorvalve 2502. The number, n, of fluidic tactile actuators 1800, 2514-2516that can be controlled by a single control valve 2406 in this method isbroadly equal to the lesser of: the maximum bandwidth of control valve2406 divided by the required bandwidth of each fluidic tactile actuator1800, 2514-2516; or the maximum flow rate of control valve 2406 dividedby the required flow rate of each fluidic tactile actuator 1800,2514-2516. In a preferred embodiment, said number n of fluidic tactileactuators 1800, 2514-2516 is greater than or equal to 20. In a morepreferred embodiment, said number n of fluidic tactile actuators 1800,2514-2516 is greater than or equal to 50. In an even more preferredembodiment, said number n of fluidic tactile actuators 1800, 2514-2516is greater than or equal to 100. In one embodiment, a force or pressuresensor 2410 is also coupled sequentially to a plurality of fluidicactuators by means of a selector valve 2502.

In a preferred embodiment, a control valve 2406 coupled to fluidictactile actuator 1800 by means of a selector valve 2502 has a maximumoperating frequency of at least 200 Hz. In a more preferred embodiment,a control valve 2406 coupled to fluidic tactile actuator 1800 by meansof a selector valve 2502 has a maximum operating frequency of at least400 Hz. In a most preferred embodiment, a control valve 2406 coupled tofluidic tactile actuator 1800 by means of selector valve 2502 has amaximum operating frequency of at least 1.00 kHz.

A second method of controlling a fluidic tactile actuator via a selectorvalve comprises: coupling a first group 2540 of fluidic tactileactuators to a control valve 2406, by means of a selector valve 2503,upon the occurrence of a defined event; coupling a second group 2542 offluidic tactile actuators to a control valve 2406, by means of aselector valve 2503, upon the occurrence of a second defined event. Saiddefined events comprise, for example: a simulated contact occurring atthe portion of a user's skin surface where the first group 2540 offluidic tactile actuators is located; and a simulated contact occurringat the portion of a user's skin surface where the second group 2542 offluidic tactile actuators is located.

In one embodiment, a plurality of mixing valves 2424, each having apiloted element, are sequentially coupled to a control valve 2507 bymeans of a selector valve 2504.

Biosignal Sensor

Referring to FIG. 1, one or more biosignal sensors 135 (FIG. 1) areoptionally included in an interface laminate. A biosignal sensor ispreferably bonded to the inner surface of an interface laminate. In apreferred embodiment, a biosignal sensor 135 comprises a bioelectricsensor variously configured to output myoelectric,electroencephalographic, electrocardiographic, electrodermal, or otherbioelectric data. In one variation, a biosignal sensor 135 comprises abiochemical sensor.

In one embodiment, a bioelectric sensor comprises a flex circuit with aplurality of exposed electrodes. In another embodiment, a bioelectricsensor comprises a plurality of flexible, elastic electrical conductors(composed of e.g. a conductive fabric or elastomer-metal composite).Alternately, said electrical conductors are flexible but inelastic, anddistributed in a pattern (e.g. a “zig-zag” or “S” shape) that allows theinelastic conductors to displace out-of-plane. In a preferredembodiment, the assembly of electrodes, conductors, and any substratematerial composing a bioelectric sensor occupies a minority of the innersurface area of an interface laminate so as not to impede heat transferfrom a thermal actuator laminate to a user's skin. In one embodiment, abioelectric sensor directly senses or actuates a user's nervous systemby communicating with a worn or implanted neural interface device.

Audiovisual Interface

Referring now to FIG. 1, a human-computer interface terminal 102preferably comprises one or more audiovisual interface devices,including: a binocular display 144, a loudspeaker 145, and a microphone139. FIG. 15 shows said audiovisual interface devices in accordance withone embodiment. A binocular display 144 (FIG. 1) preferably comprises ahead-mounted display device 1502 mounted near the eyes of a user 106. Aloudspeaker 145 (FIG. 1) preferably comprises a headphone driver 1504. Afirst 1504 and second (not shown) headphone driver are preferablymounted near the ears of user 106. A microphone 139 (FIG. 1) preferablycomprises a small microphone 1510 located near the mouth of user 106.

Facial Tracking

Referring again to FIG. 1, a human-computer interface terminal 102preferably comprises one or more facial tracking devices, including: afacial tracking sensor 137 and an eye tracking sensor 138. FIG. 15 showssaid facial tracking devices in accordance with one embodiment. A facialtracking sensor 137 (FIG. 1) and an eye tracking sensor 138 (FIG. 1)preferably each comprise a camera. Even more preferably, a facialtracking sensor 137 (FIG. 1) and an eye tracking sensor 138 (FIG. 1)each comprise a camera sensitive to light in the infrared range 1506a/b, 1508 a-d. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of cameras 1506a/b, 1508 a-d are located near the face of a user 106. An infrared lightsource sufficient to illuminate the face of user 106 can be includedanywhere in or near a human-computer interface terminal 102 (FIG. 1).

One or more cameras 1506 a/b are preferably mounted inside ahead-mounted display 1502. Cameras 1506 a/b are variously configured to:produce gaze point, vergence, and pupillary dilation data for the user's106 eyes; or to supply facial tracking data for any parts of the user's106 face occluded from view of facial tracking sensors 1508 a-d by headmounted display 1502. In an alternate embodiment, a singlefacial-tracking camera is used for the whole face of a user 106. Thoughmarkerless facial tracking is preferred for simplicity, markers areoptionally added to the face of a user to facilitate improved trackingaccuracy.

Chemical Delivery System

Referring again to FIG. 1, a human-computer interface terminal 102preferably comprises a chemical delivery system 146 configured tostimulate the chemical senses (i.e. olfaction and gustation) of a user106. In one embodiment, a chemical delivery system comprises: an aromaor flavor dispensing device comprising a plurality of aroma or flavorcompounds, which are preferably mixed with an appropriate solvent suchas water or ethanol in varying concentrations to normalize theirperceived intensity. These aroma and flavor compounds are preferablyeach enclosed within a sealed, disposable cartridge which can beperiodically switched out when empty. The fluid in the cartridges isplaced under pressure by the action of gravity or by artificial means,allowing small amounts of fluid to be dispensed by one or more valves.After being dispensed, the fluid is volatilized, preferably through theaction of an ultrasonic diaphragm, and alternately through theapplication of heat or pressure, as by an atomizer or nebulizer.

Referring now to FIG. 15, purified air is preferably carried throughsaid aroma or flavor dispensing device and into a tube 1512. Thepurified air exits through an orifice 1514 a near the user's 106 nose;air from the space in or around a user's 106 nose re-enters tube 1512through an adjacent orifice 1514 b, and is ultimately ejected from ahuman-computer interface terminal 102 (FIG. 1) via tube 1512.Volatilized aroma and flavor compounds enter the air stream of tube 1512as they are dispensed. Thus, their time-varying concentration in the airstream is precisely controlled by the action of the aforementionedvalves.

Additionally, the aroma or flavor dispensing device optionally dispensescompounds for delivery to the mouth of a user 106. Such compoundsinclude, for example: flavorant compounds detected by the tongue (e.g.sucrose or glutamate); other edible compounds (e.g. capsaicin orpiperine); nutritive elements (e.g. proteins, fats, vitamins, andminerals); drug compounds (e.g. ethanol or caffeine); or combinations oftwo or more of the above. In one embodiment, aroma or flavor compoundsare delivered to the mouth of a user 106 by a mouthpiece variouslyconfigured to simulate taste or mouth-feel. Said mouthpiece preferablyincludes a top or bottom portion, whose inner surface is configured tobe secured to a user's 106 teeth by means of a passive mechanism, suchas friction, or by means of an active mechanism, such as a membranefilled with pressurized air to generate a clamping force.

A surface of said mouthpiece is preferably covered with one or moretactile or thermal actuators of any of the types described hereinabove(in the “Interface Laminate” section), or of another suitable type. Aseries of small tubes arranged in one or more flat ribbons preferablycouple the mouthpiece to an aroma or flavor dispensing device. Theseribbons run to the top or bottom portions of a mouthpiece, preferablycontouring to the upper or lower lips respectively of a user 106. Saidtubing terminates in one or more orifices positioned throughout themouth of user 106 that are configured to dispense edible compounds ontothe tongue or into the back of the throat of user 106. A waterproofcamera and light source are optionally included to provide data on themotion and position of the lips, tongue, or mouth of user 106, includingstereotyped muscle motions, such as trough formation in the tongue,indicating the commencement of the autonomic swallowing response. In analternate embodiment, one or more tubes are positioned outside andimmediately adjacent to the mouth of user 106 to dispense water or otheredible fluids into the mouth when opened.

Interface Garment

Referring to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention,a human-computer interface terminal 102 comprises an interface garment.An interface garment comprises input transducers 108 and outputtransducers 110 advantageously located on or near the body of user 106,including one or more of the following: a force or torque sensor 133, abiosignal sensor 135, a facial tracking sensor 137, an eye trackingsensor 138, a microphone 139, a tactile actuator 140, an actuatedarticulation 141, a thermal actuator 142, a binocular display 144, or aloudspeaker 145. FIGS. 27A-B generally depict one embodiment of aninterface garment comprising: an undersuit 2708, a body-borne portion703 of an exoskeleton, an intermediate layer 2704, and a veneer 2706.FIG. 27B shows a cross section of a portion 2701 of an interfacegarment.

In one embodiment, an interface garment comprises a separable headportion 1500 and body portion 2700. In a second embodiment, a bodyportion 2700 is divided into separable upper body 2720 and lower body2730 portions. In a third embodiment, an interface garment comprises aseparable hand portion 2725 or a separable foot portion 2735. In afourth embodiment, an interface garment comprises two separable armportions 2745 a/b or two separable leg portions 2755 a/b. In a fourthembodiment, an interface garment comprises a separable torso portion2760.

An undersuit 2708 prevents direct contact between a user's skin surfaceand the inside of an interface garment. The use of an undersuit 2708reduces the need to clean an interface garment, and offers improvedhygiene, particularly in cases where a single interface garment isshared between multiple users. In a first embodiment, an undersuit 2708is washed after use and reused. In a second embodiment, an undersuit2708 is disposed of after each use. An undersuit preferably comprises athin, elastic, thermally conductive, and substantiallyliquid-impermeable material. Said material comprises, for example:elastane, cotton, polyester or other fibers; metallic fibers orparticles, as in a fabric-metal composite; polyethylene or other polymerfibers or films; paper; or combinations of two or more of the above.

A body-borne portion 703 of an exoskeleton of an interface garment ispreferably coupled to the wearer's body by means of an intermediatelayer 2704 bonded to the inner surface of the body-borne exoskeleton703. In a preferred embodiment, an intermediate layer 2704 comprises aninterface laminate 1600. FIG. 28 shows an exemplary cross section of aninterface laminate 1600 bonded to the inner surface of a body-borneportion 703 of an exoskeleton in accordance with one embodiment. A force2854 applied to a point 2852 of a portion of an interface laminate 1600not rigidly coupled to a body-borne exoskeleton 703 produces a displacedposition 2855, 2859 of the interface laminate 1600 that may createundesirable reaction forces 2856 on a user's skin surface if saiddisplaced position 2855, 2859 interpenetrates the skin surface. Numerousgeometries of a body-borne portion 703 of an exoskeleton, as shown inFIG. 27A in accordance with one embodiment and as described here andabove, are contemplated to minimize the action of said undesirablereaction forces 2856 on a user's skin surface by providing a rigid,load-bearing structure enclosing as much of a user's body surface aspossible without impeding the motion of the user or exoskeleton.

In an alternate embodiment, intermediate layer 2704 comprises an atleast partially compliant material or combination of materials,including foam, gel, rubber, or fabric. In a second alternateembodiment, a portion of the intermediate layer comprises one or morestructures filled with air or another suitable gas. Said gas isoptionally controllably pressurized e.g. to aid in fitting or securing astructural member of a body-borne portion 703 of an exoskeleton to thebody of a wearer.

A veneer 2706 preferably covers the surface of an interface garment.Veneer 2706 protects the components of an interface garment, enhancesthe interface garment's aesthetics, and is optionally configured tominimize perceived surface discontinuities when a wearer touches his orher own body. A veneer comprises one or more thin layers of a flexible,and preferably elastic, material, such as a fabric. In one embodiment, aveneer also comprises thin, stiff elements that cover surfacediscontinuities in an interface garment (such as the edge 2712 of anarticulation of a body-borne exoskeleton 703). Veneer 2706 is preferablycoupled to body-borne exoskeleton 703 by means of one or more temporaryfasteners (such as hook and loop fasteners or snaps) to allow veneer2706 to be removed e.g. for maintenance of an interface garment.

An interface garment preferably includes a plurality of donning aids tofacilitate donning and removal of the interface garment. FIGS. 29A and29B show a donning aid in accordance with one embodiment. A structuralmember 2900 of a body-borne portion 703 (FIG. 27A) of an exoskeleton ofan interface garment is shown. Structural member 2900 comprises astructural discontinuity 2901 coupled to hinges 2906, 2908 and tofastener 2910. Fastener 2910 can be of any of the aforementioned typessuitable for use as a mechanical coupling of a temporary coupling point(as described hereinabove in the “Temporary Coupling” section), or ofany other suitable type. The exemplary fastener 2910 shown in FIGS.29A-B is closed by inserting locking member 2912 into receptacle 2918,and is opened by depressing button 2916. FIG. 29A shows structuralmember 2900 in an open state to facilitate donning of an interfacegarment. FIG. 29B shows structural member 2900 in a closed state afterit has been donned by a user.

Referring again to FIG. 27A, in one embodiment, an interface garment isdonned by means of a central zipper 2714 or other fastener in the mannerof a wetsuit or flight suit. In a second embodiment, an upper bodyportion 2720 of an interface garment is donned in the manner of ajacket, having a central zipper or other fastener. In said secondembodiment, a lower body portion 2730 of an exoskeleton is preferablydonned in the manner of a pair of pants, having a zipper, button,buckle, or other fastener terminating near the belly button of thewearer. A head portion 1500 of an interface garment preferably comprisesa moveable section 1516 configured to leave the face of the weareruncovered when the head portion 1500 is not in use in order to reducepotential claustrophobia caused by complete occlusion of the wearer'sface.

In one embodiment, one or more structural members of a body-borneportion 703 of an exoskeleton of an interface garment comprise: a lengthadjustment mechanism configured to change the length of a structuralmember; or an angle adjustment mechanism configured to change the angleof a first structural member relative to a second structural member.Said mechanisms comprise a first and second portion of a structuralmember, which can be fixed in a plurality of positions relative to oneanother by means of, for example: a hook-and-loop fastener, a threadedfastener, a spring-loaded fastener, or other manual fasteners; anactuated articulation 141 (FIG. 1); or a combination of two or more ofthe above. Said first or second portions of a structural memberoptionally comprise one or more holes, surface markings, or otheralignment aids.

In another embodiment, one or more structural members of a body-borneportion 703 of an exoskeleton of an interface garment comprise a girthadjustment mechanism configured to change the girth of a structuralmember. In one variation of this embodiment, a structural member issplit into a first portion and second portion which are joined by ahinge and fastener as shown, for example, in FIGS. 29A-B. In thisvariation, fastener 2910 is replaced with a fastener having a lengthadjustment mechanism or a plurality of fastening positions, eachfastening position resulting in a different fastened length of thefastener (in the manner of e.g. a ski boot buckle). The variablefastened length of said fastener changes the girth of the structuralmember to which it is coupled by changing the angle of the first portionand second portion of the structural member relative to one another inthe fastened position.

In one embodiment, a tensile member power transmission coupling of aninterface garment is permanently attached to the back of an interfacegarment. In another embodiment, a tensile member power transmissioncoupling of an interface garment is permanently attached to an interfacegarment only by the tensile member assemblies to which it is coupled(i.e. in the manner of a plug attached to a cord). In a first variationof said second embodiment, a tensile member power transmission couplingoptionally is temporarily attached to the back of an interface garmentwhen said garment is not in use by means of e.g. hook and loop fastener,or another suitable fastener. In a second variation of said secondembodiment, a tensile member power transmission coupling is held by theuser when the interface garment is not in use. A handle is optionallyadded to the tensile member power transmission coupling to facilitatethe practice of this variation.

Owing to the wide range of human body types and sizes, a plurality ofinterface garments of differing shapes and sizes are required for anoptimal fit without undue adjustment. In a preferred embodiment, aplurality of standard interface garment sizes are provided, where eachgarment is configured to fit a population delimited by one or more indexvariables (such as height, weight, gender, or age). For example: a firstinterface garment is optimized to fit men having a height between 1.6and 1.9 m, and a body mass index between 23 and 28 kg/m^2; and a secondinterface garment is optimized to fit women having a height between 1.5and 1.8 m and a body mass index between 18 and 23 kg/m^2. In onevariation, portions of an interface garment—such as a body portion 2700,an upper body portion 2720, a torso portion 2760, a lower body portion2730, hand portions 2725, foot portions 2735, arm portions 2745 a/b, legportions 2755 a/b, or a head portion 1500—each have a plurality ofstandard sizes. In an alternate embodiment, a custom interface garmentis created for each user.

Point-of-use Enclosure

Referring to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention,a human-computer interface terminal 102 comprises a point-of-useenclosure. A point-of-use enclosure is a physical space located at theintended point of use of a human-computer interface terminal 102. Apoint-of-use enclosure comprises input transducers 108 and outputtransducers 110 which are advantageously located externally to aninterface garment e.g. for reasons of size or cost, including one ormore of the following: a motion simulator 143, a chemical deliverysystem 146, or a position or angle sensor 136. FIG. 30 generally depictsone embodiment of a point-of-use enclosure. FIG. 30 shows a firstpoint-of-use enclosure 3000 and a second point-of-use enclosure 3050 inuse.

The exterior of point-of-use enclosure 3000 comprises a frame 3002, adoor 3004, and a console 3006. The interior of point-of-use enclosure3000 comprises a motion simulator 1400 and a point-of-use portion 701(FIG. 7) of an exoskeleton. The interior of point-of-use enclosure 3000also preferably contains additional systems necessary to support theoperation of a human-computer interface terminal 102 (FIG. 1),including: a computer system, networking or telecommunicationsequipment, signal processing equipment, power supply and distributionequipment, or other electronics; a pressurized gas or liquid supply, acontrol valve, a force or pressure sensor, a selector valve, a mixingvalve, a heating or refrigeration device, a temperature or heat fluxsensor, or other elements of an interface laminate advantageouslylocated off the body of a user; a power supply, current or pressurelimiter, actuator assembly, position or angle sensor, force or torquesensor, force or torque limiter, or other elements of a locomotor systemof an exoskeleton advantageously located off the body of a user. Saidadditional systems can be contained within housing 1403, locatedelsewhere within point-of-use enclosure 3000, or located remotely (as ina remote server).

Frame 3002 comprises four walls and a ceiling, all of which arepreferably substantially opaque to light and sound in order to protectthe privacy of a user. Frame 3002 is coupled to a door 3004. Door 3004is preferably of an automated, sliding type. In a preferred embodiment,door 3004 comprises privacy glass, or another normally transparentmaterial which can be turned opaque 3005 by the application of anelectric current or other stimulus. Door 3004 also preferably includesan alarmed emergency release (not shown) in case of electrical ormechanical failure. Console 3006 preferably comprises: a touchscreen;and an intercom preferably coupled to a microphone 139 (FIG. 1) andloudspeaker 145 (FIG. 1) of a human-computer interface terminal 102(FIG. 1).

In one embodiment, a point of use enclosure comprises one or more serialmanipulators that are not constantly coupled to a user during operationof the human-computer interface terminal 102 (FIG. 1). In one variation,said serial manipulators are coupled to a tool, prop, or other apparatusintermittently coupled to a user in order to increase the fidelity ofsimulation of a particular interaction. In a first example, a serialmanipulator is coupled to a chemical delivery system 146 configured todispense food, drink, or other edible compounds into the mouth of auser. In a second example, a serial manipulator is configured toposition a real-world object in order to emulate the position of asimulated counterpart in a computer-mediated environment 116 (FIG. 1) orvice versa.

In one embodiment, a point-of-use enclosure comprises a heating,ventilation, or air conditioning system configured to change thetemperature or humidity of the environment around a user in order tosimulate the corresponding temperature or humidity of a virtualenvironment. In one variation of this embodiment, a point-of-useenclosure comprises a fan, blower, or other system configured tosimulate the movement of air over a user's face or body.

User Experience

FIG. 31 shows a flow diagram of events that constitute a user experiencewith a human-computer interface terminal 102 (FIG. 1) in accordance withone embodiment, as described here and above in FIGS. 1 through 43.Initially, a user dons 3102 an undersuit. Next a user is coupled to ahuman-computer interface terminal 102 (FIG. 1) via a coupling process3150. The user signals 3116 to begin the simulation. Said signalpreferably constitutes the user lowering movable portion 1516 of headportion 1500 of an interface garment. The simulation begins 3118.

Upon receipt 3120 from the user of a signal to end the simulation, thesimulation ends 3124. Said signal preferably comprises the user raisingmovable portion 1516 of head portion 1500 of an interface garment. Asecond means of terminating a simulation in case of emergency can beinvoked 3122 by a user at any time during a simulation. Said meanscomprises establishing at least one signal, which can be reliablyderived from one or more transducers of a human-computer interfaceterminal 102 (FIG. 1), and which is not significantly affected by thestate of a computer-mediated environment 116 (FIG. 1). Said signalcomprises, for example: an eye motion, a vocal cue, a biosignal; or acombination of two or more of the above. One or more degrees of freedomof one or more joints of a user (e.g. the user's jaw) are optionallyleft substantially unaffected by a human-computer interface terminal 102(FIG. 1) to facilitate the discrimination of such a signal. Once thesimulation is ended 3124, the user is decoupled from a human-computerinterface terminal 102 via a decoupling process 3160. Lastly, the userremoves 3130 an undersuit, which is optionally disposed of 3132.

FIG. 32 shows a first embodiment of a coupling process 3150 inaccordance with the user experience of the embodiment of FIG. 31.Optionally, the best fit of a pool of interface garments intended to beshared between a plurality of users is selected 3106. Said interfacegarment selected 3106 is optionally adjusted 3108 to further increasethe quality of fit to the user. The user dons an interface garment 3104.The user is optionally authenticated 3110, by means of e.g. a bar code,QR code, alphanumeric code, or combination of two or more of the aboveentered by the user via a console 3006 (FIG. 30) of a point-of-useenclosure; or an electronic identification device (such as a radiofrequency identification chip) in the user's interface garment, theuser's mobile device, or a card possessed by the user.

The user enters 3112 a point-of-use enclosure via a door 3004 (FIG. 30),which preferably automatically closes once the user has entered 3112. Ifsaid point-of-use enclosure includes privacy glass, the user optionallyactivates said privacy glass upon entering 3112 the point-of-useenclosure. Next, the user is coupled 3114 to the point-of-use enclosureby means of one or more temporary coupling points of an exoskeleton.

FIG. 32 also shows a first embodiment of a corresponding decouplingprocess 3160 suitable for use with the above coupling process 3150 inaccordance with the user experience of the embodiment of FIG. 31. Theuser's interface garment is decoupled 3126 from the point-of-useenclosure, after which the user exits 3127 the point-of-use enclosureand removes 3128 the interface garment. Lastly, the user optionallyreturns 3129 said interface garment to a shared pool if it wasoriginally selected 3126 from said shared pool.

FIG. 33 shows a second embodiment of a coupling process 3150 anddecoupling process 3160 in accordance with the user experience of theembodiment of FIG. 31. All process steps are the same as the embodimentof FIG. 32, with the exception that an interface garment is coupled 3114to the point-of-use enclosure before being donned 3104 by the user, andpreferably before the user even enters 3112 the point-of-use enclosure.Similarly, the user removes 3128 the interface garment and preferablyexits 3127 the point-of-use enclosure before the interface garment isdecoupled from said point-of-use enclosure. In one embodiment, ratherthan having a single point-of-use enclosure variously coupled to aplurality of interface garments of different sizes, a plurality ofpoint-of-use enclosures are each coupled to a single interface garmentof a different size.

A plurality of sub-steps are contemplated for each of several keyprocess steps of the embodiments of FIGS. 32 and 33. In one embodiment,selecting 3106 the best-fit interface garment from a shared poolcomprises one or more of the following sub-steps (referring now to FIG.27A): selecting the best fit of a plurality of body portions 2700 of aninterface garment; selecting the best fit of a plurality of upper bodyportions 2720 of an interface garment; selecting the best fit of aplurality of lower body portions 2730 of an interface garment; selectingthe best fit of a plurality of torso portions 2760 of an interfacegarment; selecting the best fit of a plurality of head portions 1500 ofan interface garment; selecting one or more of the best fits of aplurality of hand portions 2725 of an interface garment; selecting oneor more of the best fits of a plurality of arm portions 2745 of aninterface garment; selecting one or more of the best fits of a pluralityof foot portions 2735 of an interface garment; or selecting one or moreof the best fits of a plurality of leg portions 2755 of an interfacegarment.

In one embodiment, adjusting 3108 a best-fit interface garment comprisesone or more of the following sub-steps (referring now to FIGS. 4A-5B):adjusting the length or girth of an upper arm structural member 401 a/b;adjusting the length or girth of a forearm structural member 405 a/b;adjusting the carry angle of an elbow joint 415 a; adjusting the lengthof an opisthenar structural member 412; adjusting the length or girth ofan upper leg structural member 501 a/b; adjusting the length or girth ofa lower leg structural member 505 a/b; or adjusting the length or girthof a foot segment 512 a/b.

In one embodiment, coupling 3114 an interface garment to a point-of-useenclosure comprises one or more of the following sub-steps (referringnow to FIGS. 4A-6B): coupling a shoulder joint 670 a/b to an upper armstructural member 401 a/b; coupling an elbow joint 415 a/b to an upperarm structural member 401 a/b or a forearm structural member 405 a/b;coupling a hand segment 206 a/b to a forearm structural member 405 a/b;coupling a hip joint 650 a/b to an upper leg structural member 501 a/b;coupling a knee joint 515 a/b to an upper leg structural member 501 a/bor a lower leg structural member 505 a/b; coupling an ankle joint 519a/b to a lower leg structural member 505 a/b or a foot segment 512 a/b;or coupling a power transmission coupling of a hand segment 206 a/b toan actuator of a locomotor module.

In one embodiment, donning 3104 an interface garment comprises one ormore of the following sub-steps: closing an upper arm donning aid;closing a forearm donning aid; closing a hand donning aid; closing anupper leg donning aid; or closing a lower leg donning aid; or closing afoot donning aid.

In one embodiment, removing 3128 an interface garment comprises one ormore of the following sub-steps: opening an upper arm donning aid;opening a forearm donning aid; opening a hand donning aid; opening anupper leg donning aid; or opening a lower leg donning aid; or opening afoot donning aid.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means ofspecific embodiments, examples and applications thereof, numerousmodifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled inthe art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth inthe claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A human-computer interface systemcomprising: an exoskeleton including: a plurality of structural memberscoupled to one another by at least one articulation configured to applya force to a body segment of a user, the exoskeleton comprising abody-borne portion and a point-of-use portion, the body-borne portionconfigured to be operatively coupled to the point-of-use portion, atleast one locomotor module including at least one actuator configured toactuate the at least one articulation, the at least one actuator beingin operative communication with the exoskeleton; and an interfacegarment including an interface laminate configured to stimulate the userwith at least one of applying a pressure to a body segment of the user,and exchanging thermal energy with a body segment of the user; whereinthe at least one of said plurality of structural members is coupled to amechanical ground via a motion simulator configured to providesimulation of at least a portion of one of (a) forces opposing gravity,(b) rotational acceleration and corresponding change in orientation, and(c) linear acceleration.
 2. The human-computer interface system of claim1 wherein said interface laminate comprises: a tactile actuatorlaminate; and a thermal actuator laminate, wherein the tactile actuatorlaminate and the thermal actuator laminate are operatively coupled toone another.
 3. A human-computer interface system comprising: anexoskeleton including: a plurality of structural members coupled to oneanother by at least one articulation configured to apply a force to abody segment of a user, the exoskeleton comprising a body-borne portionand a point-of-use portion, the body-borne portion configured to beoperatively coupled to the point-of-use portion, at least one locomotormodule including at least one actuator configured to actuate the atleast one articulation, the at least one actuator being in operativecommunication with the exoskeleton; and an interface garment includingan interface laminate configured to stimulate the user with at least oneof applying a pressure to a body segment of the user, and exchangingthermal energy with a body segment of the user; wherein the at least oneactuator is coupled to at least one of a group of limiter mechanismsconsisting of a current limiter, a pressure limiter, a force limiter, atorque limiter, a position limiter, and an angle limiter.
 4. Thehuman-computer interface system of claim 3 wherein said interfacelaminate comprises: a tactile actuator laminate; and a thermal actuatorlaminate, wherein the tactile actuator laminate and the thermal actuatorlaminate are operatively coupled to one another.
 5. A human-computerinterface system comprising: an exoskeleton including: a plurality ofstructural members coupled to one another by at least one articulationconfigured to apply a force to a body segment of a user, the exoskeletoncomprising a body-borne portion and a point-of-use portion, thebody-borne portion configured to be operatively coupled to thepoint-of-use portion, at least one locomotor module including at leastone actuator configured to actuate the at least one articulation, the atleast one actuator being in operative communication with theexoskeleton; and an interface garment including an interface laminateconfigured to stimulate the user with at least one of applying apressure to a body segment of the user, and exchanging thermal energywith a body segment of the user; wherein said interface laminatecomprises: a fluidic actuator; a fluidic distribution laminate coupledto the fluidic actuator configured to provide a pressurized workingfluid to the fluidic actuator; and a control valve coupled to thefluidic actuator.
 6. The human-computer interface system of claim 5wherein said body-borne portion is configured to transitively couple tosaid point-of-use portion via at least one temporary coupling point,thereby forming an operative human-computer interface system.
 7. Thehuman-computer interface system of claim 6 wherein the interface garmentincludes a separable portion selected from a group consisting of a headportion, a hand portion, a foot portion, a body portion, an upper bodyportion, and a lower body portion.
 8. The human-computer interfacesystem of claim 5 wherein the interface garment comprises: a armelement; a hand element; a leg element; a foot element; a torso element;and a head element.
 9. The human-computer interface system of claim 5wherein said interface laminate comprises: a tactile actuator laminate;and a thermal actuator laminate, wherein the tactile actuator laminateand the thermal actuator laminate are operatively coupled to oneanother.
 10. The human-computer interface system of claim 5 furthercomprising: a plurality of fluidic actuators including said fluidicactuator; and a selector valve coupled to the plurality of fluidicactuators, wherein the selector valve is configured to sequentiallycouple the plurality of fluidic actuators to the control valve.
 11. Thehuman-computer interface system of claim 10: wherein said plurality offluidic actuators are organized into a first group and a second group;and wherein said selector valve is configured to sequentially couplesaid first group and said second group to said control valve.
 12. Amethod for using the system of claim 5 comprising: a. establishing asignal to end simulation which is not significantly affected by a stateof the computer-mediated environment being simulated; b. fitting theuser with the interface garment, including the body-borne portion of theexoskeleton; c. coupling the body-borne portion of the exoskeletonfitted on the user to the point-of-use portion via at least onetemporary coupling point; d. beginning simulation in response toreceiving a signal to begin simulation; e. ending simulation in responseto receiving a signal to end simulation; f. decoupling the body-borneportion of the exoskeleton from the point-of-use portion.
 13. The methodof claim 12 further comprising: selecting the interface garment from apool of interface garments comprising at least two different interfacegarments of two different sizes.
 14. The method of claim 12 furthercomprising: donning an undersuit before said fitting, wherein saidundersuit substantially prevents direct skin contact between the userand an inside of the interface garment.
 15. The human-computer interfacesystem of claim 5 wherein said interface laminate further comprises aplurality of biosignal sensors configured to output at least one ofmyoelectric data, electroencephalographic data, electrocadiographicdata, and electrodermal data.
 16. The human-computer interface system ofclaim 5 wherein said plurality of structural members comprises: a lengthadjustment mechanism, wherein the length adjustment mechanism adjusts alength of a structural member.
 17. The human-computer interface systemof claim 5 wherein said plurality of structural members comprise atleast one joint selected from a group of joints consisting of a spinaljoint, a shoulder joint, and a hip joint, wherein said at least onejoint comprises a serial manipulator with at least five degrees offreedom.
 18. A human-computer interface system comprising: anexoskeleton including: a plurality of structural members coupled to oneanother by at least one articulation configured to apply a force to abody segment of a user, the exoskeleton comprising a body-borne portionand a point-of-use portion, the body-borne portion configured to beoperatively coupled to the point-of-use portion, at least one locomotormodule including at least one actuator configured to actuate the atleast one articulation, the at least one actuator being in operativecommunication with the exoskeleton; and an interface garment includingan interface laminate configured to stimulate the user with at least oneof applying a pressure to a body segment of the user, and exchangingthermal energy with a body segment of the user; said interface garmentcomprising: a binocular display; a loudspeaker; and at least one of: amicrophone; a facial tracking sensor; an eye tracking sensor; and achemical delivery system.
 19. The human-computer interface system ofclaim 18 wherein said interface laminate comprises: a tactile actuatorlaminate; and a thermal actuator laminate, wherein the tactile actuatorlaminate and the thermal actuator laminate are operatively coupled toone another.
 20. A human-computer interface system comprising: anexoskeleton including: a plurality of structural members coupled to oneanother by at least one articulation configured to apply a force to abody segment of a user, the exoskeleton comprising a body-borne portionand a point-of-use portion, the body-borne portion configured to beoperatively coupled to the point-of-use portion, at least one locomotormodule including at least one actuator configured to actuate the atleast one articulation, the at least one actuator being in operativecommunication with the exoskeleton; and an interface garment includingan interface laminate configured to stimulate the user with at least oneof applying a pressure to a body segment of the user, and exchangingthermal energy with a body segment of the user; and a power transmissionsystem comprising at least one of a tensile member, and a fluidicmember; wherein said at least one actuator is coupled to the at leastone articulation by the power transmission system.
 21. Thehuman-computer interface system of claim 20 wherein said interfacelaminate comprises: a tactile actuator laminate; and a thermal actuatorlaminate, wherein the tactile actuator laminate and the thermal actuatorlaminate are operatively coupled to one another.
 22. A human-computerinterface system comprising: an exoskeleton including: a plurality ofstructural members coupled to one another by at least one articulationconfigured to apply a force to a body segment of a user, the exoskeletoncomprising a body-borne portion and a point-of-use portion, thebody-borne portion configured to be operatively coupled to thepoint-of-use portion, at least one locomotor module including at leastone actuator configured to actuate the at least one articulation, the atleast one actuator being in operative communication with theexoskeleton; and an interface garment including an interface laminateconfigured to stimulate the user with at least one of applying apressure to a body segment of the user, and exchanging thermal energywith a body segment of the user; said body-borne portion comprising amember configured to prevent substantial deformation of the interfacelaminate when a force is applied to an interior of the portion of theinterface laminate not fixedly coupled to the body-borne portion. 23.The human-computer interface system of claim 22 wherein said interfacelaminate comprises: a tactile actuator laminate; and a thermal actuatorlaminate, wherein the tactile actuator laminate and the thermal actuatorlaminate are operatively coupled to one another.